Public Resources

Agency description:

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides services to protect the health of the population.

Website:

www.hhs.gov

Enabling Statute:

“The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare is hereby redesignated the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare or any other official of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare is hereby redesignated the Secretary or official, as appropriate, of Health and Human ServicesReference to Department, Secretary, etc., of Health, Education, and Welfare deemed reference to Department, Secretary, etc., of Health and Human Services

Any reference to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, or any other official of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in any law, rule, regulation, certificate, directive, instruction, or other official paper in force on May 4, 1980, shall be deemed to refer and apply to the Department of Health and Human Services or the Secretary of Health and Human Services, respectively, except to the extent such reference is to a function or office transferred to the Secretary or the Department under this chapter.” 20 U.S.C. § 3508

Key issues:

Healthcare for military families; Head Start; temporary assistance for needy families (TANF); Medicare; Medicaid; State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP); child abuse or neglect; abusive partners; drug abuse; diet and nutrition; vaccinations; physical activity guidelines; disease treatment and prevention; Health Information Privacy (HIPAA); public health emergency preparedness.

Sub-agencies:

Administration for Children and Families; Administration on Aging; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Food and Drug Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration; Indian Health Service; National Institutes of Health; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration

Agency description:

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) promotes economic and social welfare.

Website:

www.acf.hhs.gov

Key issues:

Adoption and foster care; child abuse and neglect; childcare; disabilities; Head Start; Healthy Marriage Initiative; Human Trafficking; TANF; Native American programs; missing children; state social service agencies.

Agency description:

The Administration on Aging promotes the development of home and community based services to assist the elderly in maintaining their health and independence.

Website:

www.aoa.gov

Key issues:

Long-term care planning; H1N1; seasonal influenza; aging statistics; resources to check healthcare benefit programs.

Agency description:

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality researches health care services and provides information to HHS and the general public.

Website:

www.ahrq.gov

Key issues:

Comparisons of medical treatments; chronic care; women’s health; elder care; continuing education for health care providers; Telemedicine; safe care.

Agency description:

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is directed by Congress to make public health assessments of specific issues.

Website:

www.atsdr.cdc.gov

Key issues:

Lead; Asbestos; Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs); Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs); mercury; hazardous materials incidents; emergency response.

Agency description:

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) promotes the prevention and control of disease, injury, and disability.

Website:

www.cdc.gov

Key issues:

MRSA; HIV/AIDS; environmental health; motorcycle safety; traveler health; workplace safety; healthy living.

Agency description:

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services operate the Medicare and Medicaid and other government health programs.

Website:

www.cms.gov

Key issues:

Prescription drug coverage; end-stage renal disease; fraud and abuse; Medicare Advantage; Medicare Secondary Payer Recovery; Medicare contracting; Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Agency description:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the safety and efficacy of human and veterinary drugs, medical devices, biologics, foods, cosmetics, and radiation emitting products.

Website:

www.fda.gov

Key issues:

Medwatch reporting of adverse events with human medical products; dietary supplements; nutrition labeling; new drug and medical device testing and approval; annual influenza vaccines; tobacco products; cigarette warning labels.

Agency description:

The Health Resources and Services Administration promotes equal access to quality health care services.

Website:

www.hrsa.gov

Key issues:

HIV/AIDS; rural health; maternal and child health; organ donation and transplant; National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program; National Health Service Corps.

Agency description:

The Indian Health Service seeks to ensure quality, culturally acceptable care for the American Indian and Native American population.

Website:

www.ihs.gov

Key issues:

Child health; dental care; Native American Cardiology Program; behavioral health.

Agency description:

The National Institutes of Health conducts and supports health research to improve human health and lessen the problems of disease and disability.

Website:

www.nih.gov

Key issues:

Stem cell research; Human Genetic Cell Repository; Mercury Free Campaign; bioethics; radiation safety.

Agency description:

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration seeks to minimize the impact of substance abuse and mental illness.

Website:

www.samhsa.gov

Key issues:

Suicide prevention; mental illness and homelessness; youth education; evaluation of substance abuse treatments; data on drug abuse and related emergencies.