News and reports from the Department of Health and Human Services.

The 2024 marketplace open enrollment period has seen roughly 4.6 million people sign up for Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance since opening on Nov. 1. These new enrollees come from both states utilizing HealthCare.gov and those with their own state-based marketplaces.

A non-profit academic medical center in New York has reached a settlement with the government for an alleged violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The agreement was reached between Saint Joseph’s Medical Center and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services after an investigation into a breach of patient confidentiality.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has granted nearly $130 million via SAMHSA to expand Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) nationwide

The pharmaceutical industry's role in the opioid crisis has been likened to that of a drug cartel, according to a recent exposé by NPR. The article sheds light on the intricate connections between the pharmaceutical industry, legislation, law enforcement, Mexican drug cartels, and the devastating opioid crisis that has plagued the nation. It underscores the urgent need for accountability and addressing the root causes of this epidemic.

A bipartisan bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives with the aim of improving transparency in healthcare. The bill mandates hospitals to disclose the true costs of health services in a consumer-friendly format, in an effort to encourage price transparency and combat deceitful billing practices. Families USA executive director, Frederick Isasi, expressed approval of the legislation, stating that every family in the nation should be able to know the cost of a hospital service before it is provided. The bill also includes provisions to promote competition...

The proposed rule to restrict short-term health insurance plans has sparked controversy among healthcare experts who warn of the far-reaching consequences. One prominent healthcare authority, Michael F. Cannon, has voiced concerns about the potential impact of this regulation on short-term limited duration health insurance (STLDI) plans. Under this rule, STLDI plans would be limited to a four-month duration and renewals within a 12-month period for the same individual would be prohibited, potentially leaving those with illnesses without coverage.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommended everyone aged 6 months and older to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine. This move comes as a strategy to fend off the potentially grave repercussions of the COVID-19 illness that are anticipated this fall and winter, according to a press release.

In a bid to address healthcare disparities faced by individuals with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency (LEP), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a new initiative. Guided by its Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the department is investing over $8 million to promote culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate healthcare education, according to an announcement from Sept. 15.

Overdose deaths from fentanyl-laced stimulants have risen 50-fold since 2010, according to a recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal "Addiction." This, along with many other factors, showcases how dangerous the fentanyl epidemic is in the United States.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra declared a public health emergency for Florida in response to the health impacts of Hurricane Idalia.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey reached a settlement agreement with Comfort Hands Home Healthcare LLC.

On Aug. 25, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the allocation of roughly $23 million through the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) to enhance the Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) program, according to a press release. Admiral Rachel L. Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health, emphasized the program's goal of improving adolescent sexual and reproductive health while prioritizing equity.

President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act allows individuals with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage to spread out-of-pocket costs over the year through monthly payments starting in 2025.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services and Justice, launched a public awareness campaign to promote federal school safety resources available through SchoolSafety.gov.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, granted more than $88 million to address the nation's mental health crisis and substance use disorder challenges.