HHS

HHS
Agency name	United States Department of Health and Human Services
Formed	11 April 1953 (as the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare)
Preceding1	United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Jurisdiction	Federal government of the United States
Headquarters	Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Washington, D.C.
Employees	80,000 (2023)
Budget	$1.63 trillion (2023)
Chief1 name	Xavier Becerra
Chief1 position	Secretary
Chief2 name	Andrea Palm
Chief2 position	Deputy Secretary
Website	www.hhs.gov

HHS. The United States Department of Health and Human Services is a cabinet-level executive department of the Federal government of the United States responsible for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its mission encompasses a vast portfolio, from conducting critical medical research through the National Institutes of Health to administering the nation's largest healthcare programs, Medicare and Medicaid. With an annual budget exceeding one trillion dollars, it is one of the largest federal departments, operating numerous agencies that impact public health, social services, and scientific advancement.

History

The department's origins trace back to the creation of the Federal Security Agency in 1939, which consolidated various health and welfare programs. It was elevated to cabinet status in 1953 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, becoming the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. The department was split in 1979 when the United States Department of Education was established, leaving the current Department of Health and Human Services. Key historical milestones include the establishment of Medicare under President Lyndon B. Johnson and the pivotal role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during public health crises like the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Organization

The department is structured into multiple operating divisions and staff offices. Major public health service agencies include the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Indian Health Service. Human services are primarily administered through the Administration for Children and Families and the Administration for Community Living. The department is headquartered in the Hubert H. Humphrey Building in Washington, D.C., and its programs are implemented through ten regional offices across the country, such as those in New York City and San Francisco.

Functions and responsibilities

Its core functions are protecting the health of Americans and providing essential human services. This includes leading national public health efforts to prevent and control disease, ensuring the safety and efficacy of food, drugs, and medical devices, and conducting biomedical research. The department administers grant programs to states for services like Child Protective Services and Head Start, and it enforces critical health privacy regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It also plays a central role in preparing for and responding to public health emergencies through the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.

Programs and initiatives

HHS oversees some of the federal government's most significant domestic programs. It administers the Medicare program for seniors and certain people with disabilities and provides matching funds to states for the Medicaid program. Other major initiatives include the Children's Health Insurance Program, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. The department also runs public health campaigns like the Healthy People initiative and funds community health centers through the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Leadership and key officials

The department is led by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, a member of the Cabinet of the United States appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. The Secretary is supported by a United States Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services and multiple Assistant Secretaries. Key operational leaders include the Surgeon General of the United States, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, and the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. The current Secretary is Xavier Becerra.

Budget and funding

With a budget that consistently ranks among the largest of any federal department, its funding supports a wide array of grants, entitlements, and operational costs. The vast majority of its outlays are for mandatory spending on programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Discretionary funding supports the operations of its public health agencies, medical research at the National Institutes of Health, and various block grants to states. Annual appropriations are determined by the United States Congress through committees like the United States House Committee on Appropriations.

Category:United States Department of Health and Human Services Category:Health ministries Category:1953 establishments in the United States