U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Recent News About U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
-
HHS expresses satisfaction with DOJ's proposed rulemaking consistency
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has expressed satisfaction with the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) issued by the Justice Department (DOJ). The HHS stated, “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is pleased that the NPRM issued by the Justice Department (DOJ) is consistent with our scheduling recommendation."
-
HHS reports on accomplishments in mental health sector from 2021-2024
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has made significant strides in the field of mental health, with several accomplishments to its credit. The administration launched 988, a helpline that has received over 9.5 million calls since July 2022. In addition to this, HHS invested more than $1.5 billion, improved answer rates to over 90 percent across all modalities, and introduced nationwide text and chat services in English and Spanish.
-
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra comments on new drug overdose death data
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra issued a statement on the release of new drug overdose death data. "When President Biden took office in January 2021, the overdose death rate was increasing 31% year-over-year. Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that drug overdose deaths fell 3% over the past year—the first decline in more than five years," he said.
-
HHS announces national strategy to address maternal mental health crisis
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has unveiled a national strategy, developed by the Task Force on Maternal Mental Health, to address the urgent public health crisis of maternal mental health and substance use issues. The strategy includes recommendations that are part of broader federal efforts to improve women's overall health, particularly maternal health, across the nation.
-
HHS announces LEAP in Health IT special emphasis notice for fiscal year 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), has issued a Special Emphasis Notice (SEN) under the Leading Edge Acceleration Projects (LEAP) in Health Information Technology (Health IT) funding opportunity for fiscal year 2024. The ONC is inviting applications for projects focusing on two specific areas.
-
Rhode Island found guilty of violating civil rights laws by over-hospitalizing disabled children
A joint investigation by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (HHS OCR) and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island has determined that the State of Rhode Island violated federal civil rights laws. The state was found to have unnecessarily segregated children with mental health and/or developmental disabilities at Bradley Hospital, an acute-care psychiatric hospital. The announcement was made by HHS OCR Regional Manager Susan Rhodes and United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
-
SAMHSA announces FentAlert Challenge winners during National Prevention Week launch
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the winners of the FentAlert Challenge today. The challenge was aimed at inspiring innovative ideas from U.S. youth, aged 14-18, to develop a community strategy for educating their peers about fentanyl and counterfeit pills, thereby preventing drug overdose deaths. This initiative supports primary prevention efforts prioritized in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Overdose Prevention Strategy, a key component of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Unity Agenda’s focus on combating...
-
USDA and HHS announce new actions against spread of H5N1
On March 25, 2024, following the first detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle in the Texas panhandle region, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) began working to understand the origin of the emergence and its potential impact on bovines and humans. USDA experts took swift action to trace animal movements, assess disease prevalence in herds, and initiate testing activities to confirm the safety of meat and milk supplies.
-
HHS finalizes rule expanding public agencies' ability to fund legal representation
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), via the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), has unveiled a new regulation designed to broaden access to legal representation for children eligible for title IV-E foster care, their parents, kinship caregivers, Indian custodians, and tribes. This will be achieved by permitting state and tribal child welfare agencies to utilize federal funds in providing legal representation.
-
ACF unveils new resources for behavioral health integration in early childhood programs
On National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families (ACF) unveiled new policy guidance and resources to broaden access to legal representation for children eligible for title IV-E foster care, their parents, kinship caregivers, Indian custodians, and tribes. The initiative allows state and tribal child welfare agencies to use federal funds to provide legal representation. This move aligns with President Biden’s Unity Agenda priority of addressing the mental health crisis and...
-
HHS responds to Ascension Health's recent cyber incident
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has acknowledged a cyber incident involving Ascension Health. The department is currently in communication with Ascension Leadership to understand their efforts aimed at minimizing any disruptions to patient care caused by the incident.
-
Biden-Harris administration reports progress in protecting children from lead poisoning
The President’s Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children has released the Progress Report on the Federal Lead Action Plan, providing a comprehensive update on the government's progress since 2018 in reducing childhood lead exposures. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are spearheading these efforts as co-leading members of the Task Force’s Lead Exposures Subcommittee.
-
Sickle Cell Disease Panel Highlights Progress and Policy Initiatives
The Biden-Harris Administration continues to build on progress made tackling sickle cell disease (SCD), recently holding a virtual panel to discuss SCD treatment, policy milestones, and future goals. The panel, hosted in observance of National Minority Health Month, by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), also highlighted SCD leaders who fostered advances in SCD treatment and delivery of care, their achievements, and new policy priorities and objectives.
-
Final Rule to Establish First-Ever Regulations for Adult Protective Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a final rule to establish federal regulations for Adult Protective Services (APS) with the aim of enhancing the quality and consistency of APS services nationwide. The rule, introduced by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), is designed to elevate APS standards and ensure uniformity in services provided across states.
-
HHS Office on Women’s Health Announces Final Phase Winners for HHS Hypertension Innovator Award Competition
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women’s Health has revealed the winners of the final phase of the HHS Hypertension Innovator Award Competition. The competition aimed to identify and reward innovative programs ensuring women with hypertension during pregnancy and postpartum periods receive appropriate monitoring and follow-up.Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine emphasized the importance of recognizing programs addressing hypertension during pregnancy, stating, "By recognizing innovative programs addressing hypertension...
-
Treasury Releases Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports
The U.S. Department of the Treasury, along with other key departments, has released the annual Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports following a meeting of the respective boards. The reports provide valuable insights into the financial health and future outlook of these crucial programs.Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen emphasized the importance of Social Security and Medicare, stating, “Seniors spent a lifetime working to earn the benefits they receive, and the Biden-Harris Administration will continue to oppose cuts to either program.”Acting Secretary...
-
COVID-19 Vaccination Public Education Campaign Saved Thousands of Lives, Billions of Dollars
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the success of its COVID-19 Vaccination Public Education Campaign, "We Can Do This," which has been credited with saving thousands of lives and billions of dollars. According to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the campaign resulted in an estimated $731.9 billion in societal benefits, with a return of nearly $90 for every $1 spent.HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra expressed pride in the campaign's impact, stating, "We now have research to confirm the COVID-19 Public Education...
-
Biden-Harris Administration Expands Health Coverage Access for DACA Recipients
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under the Biden-Harris Administration, has finalized a rule aimed at increasing access to health care for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. The rule allows DACA recipients to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace, or for coverage through a Basic Health Program (BHP). According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), this change is expected to result in around 100,000 previously uninsured DACA recipients gaining health...
-
Over 10 Million People with Medicare Received Free Vaccines Due to Inflation Reduction Act
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released new data showing that over 10 million people with Medicare Part D received a free vaccine in 2023, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. This marked a significant increase from just 3.4 million people receiving covered vaccines in 2021.HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the positive impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, stating, “Free vaccines are life changing and lifesaving for millions of Americans’ health and their wallets. While the ongoing first-ever negotiations are making history, we will also...
-
Readout of HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s Meeting with United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra reiterated his commitment to addressing homelessness among youth and young adults during the second quarterly meeting of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) held on May 1. Becerra, speaking at the meeting, emphasized the importance of a whole-of-government strategy to tackle homelessness, stating, "For the last three years, we’ve been working around the clock to advance a whole-of-government strategy to address homelessness. At HHS, we know – and the research shows – that homelessness and other forms of housing...