Health and Human Services

Health and Human Services
Agency name	Health and Human Services
Logo width	200
Formed	11 April 1953 (as the United States 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	$ (FY 2023)
Chief1 name	Xavier Becerra
Chief1 position	Secretary
Chief2 name	Andrea Palm
Chief2 position	Deputy Secretary
Website	https://www.hhs.gov

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 cutting-edge biomedical research to administering critical safety-net programs for vulnerable populations. The department's work is carried out by a network of operating divisions, including the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Administration for Children and Families.

Overview

The department's overarching goal is to enhance and protect the health and well-being of the nation, a mandate that touches nearly every aspect of American life. Its activities range from preventing and controlling infectious disease outbreaks through agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensuring the safety of food and drugs via the Food and Drug Administration. It also administers the nation's largest health insurance programs, Medicare and Medicaid, which provide coverage to millions of elderly, disabled, and low-income individuals. Furthermore, it supports groundbreaking scientific discovery through the National Institutes of Health and provides social services through programs like the Administration for Community Living.

History

The department traces its origins to the creation of the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, which was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953 and approved by an act of the United States Congress. This consolidation brought together federal health and welfare agencies, including the pre-existing United States Public Health Service. In 1979, under the administration of President Jimmy Carter, the United States Department of Education Organization Act was signed, leading to the separation of educational functions. The remaining agency was renamed the Department of Health and Human Services on May 4, 1980, with its first secretary, Patricia Roberts Harris, overseeing the transition. 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.

Organization and structure

The department is headed by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, a member of the Cabinet of the United States who is appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. The operational structure is divided between the Office of the Secretary and 11 operating divisions. Major public health agencies include the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health. Human service programs are primarily administered by the Administration for Children and Families, the Administration for Community Living, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services directly manages the massive Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Programs and services

The department administers a wide array of programs that impact millions of Americans daily. Its public health initiatives include disease surveillance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccine development coordinated by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and health disaster preparedness. It oversees the Medicare program for seniors and the Medicaid program in partnership with states. Key human services include the Head Start program for early childhood education, the Child Care and Development Fund, and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. It also enforces critical health privacy regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

Budget and funding

The department manages one of the largest budgets in the Federal government of the United States, with mandatory spending for programs like Medicare and Medicaid constituting the vast majority of its outlays. Its annual discretionary budget is determined through the congressional appropriations process, with funds allocated to agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A significant portion of its funding is distributed to states, territories, and local governments through grants and cooperative agreements to administer programs like the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant. The budget also supports direct operations, including the Indian Health Service and research conducted at the National Cancer Institute.

Leadership and key officials

Leadership is provided by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, currently Xavier Becerra, who is supported by the United States Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, Andrea Palm. Other key Senate-confirmed officials include the Surgeon General of the United States, Vivek Murthy, and the Assistant Secretary for Health, who oversees the United States Public Health Service. The heads of major operating divisions, such as the Director of the National Institutes of Health (Monica Bertagnolli) and the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (Robert Califf), are also pivotal leadership roles. These officials work in conjunction with the White House and other departments like the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the United States Department of Agriculture on cross-cutting health and welfare issues.

Category:Health and Human Services Category:Executive departments of the United States government Category:1953 establishments in the United States