U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Recent News About U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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HHS Issues Final Rule to Prevent Discrimination in Health and Human Services Grant Programs
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources (ASFR), issued a final rule to affirm nondiscrimination in HHS-funded programs and services. The Health and Human Services Grants Regulation (HHS Grants Rule) Final Rule was announced to protect LGBTQI+ individuals by explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity, in specific health and human services programs. This move is in line with the Supreme Court decision in...
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Biden-Harris Administration Invests $105 Million in Community-Based Organizations to Improve Maternal and Infant Health Across the Country
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a significant investment of $105 million in funding to support over 100 community-based organizations dedicated to enhancing maternal and infant health. The announcement was made in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of HRSA's Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative.HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of maternal health, stating, “Maternal health is a fundamental human right and every mother deserves access to quality care and support. Having a safe and healthy pregnancy and birth shouldn’t depend...
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Biden-Harris Administration Strengthens Protections for LGBTQI+ Youth in Child Welfare System
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has finalized a rule aimed at enhancing protections for youth in foster care, particularly LGBTQI+ children. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of providing tailored support for all children in government care, stating, “Every child deserves a safe and loving home.”LGBTQI+ children in foster care often face higher levels of bullying and harassment, leading to adverse outcomes such as increased mental health-related hospitalizations and homelessness. This new rule underscores the necessity of...
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HHS Shares Plan for Responsible Use of AI in Government Benefits Administration
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled its plan for promoting the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in automated and algorithmic systems by state, local, tribal, and territorial governments in the administration of public benefits. The department highlighted the potential of AI advancements to improve the delivery of public benefits programs.According to the HHS, "Recent advances in the availability of powerful artificial intelligence (AI) in automated or algorithmic systems open up significant opportunities to enhance public...
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Healthcare Nondiscrimination Protections Strengthened by HHS Rule
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new rule under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, aimed at advancing protections against discrimination in health care.Secretary Xavier Becerra expressed pride in the Office for Civil Rights' stance against discrimination, stating, “I am very proud that our Office for Civil Rights is standing up against discrimination, no matter who you are, who you love, your faith or where you live. Once again, we are...
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HHS Announces Phase 1 Winners in Environmental Justice Community Innovator Challenge
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recognized 12 winners in the initial phase of the Environmental Justice Community Innovator Challenge, a competition aimed at promoting community-level solutions to address health inequities and environmental justice. The challenge, part of a national effort to uplift community voices with innovative solutions, seeks to tackle the adverse health impacts of environmental conditions within disproportionately impacted communities.Racial and ethnic minority, disadvantaged, vulnerable, low-income, marginalized, and...
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Secretary Becerra Statement on the Proposed Menthol Cigarette Rule
Secretary Becerra issued a statement regarding the proposed Menthol Cigarette Rule, acknowledging the significant engagement the rule has received. He stated, "This rule has garnered historic attention and the public comment period has yielded an immense amount of feedback, including from various elements of the civil rights and criminal justice movement."Furthermore, Secretary Becerra highlighted the importance of continued dialogue, mentioning, "It’s clear that there are still more conversations to have, and that will take significantly more time." The Secretary...
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Biden-Harris Administration Partners with States and Releases Data Recommendations to Strengthen the Direct Care Workforce
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced partnerships with states and released key recommendations to strengthen the direct care workforce, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to support caregivers and improve access to high-quality care for older adults and people with disabilities.HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of investing in care, stating, "Investing in care is an investment in the future of America's families, workforce, and economy." Becerra highlighted the significance of better data...
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WHIAANHPI and SmithsonianAPA Unveil Joint Theme for 2024 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
On April 24, 2024, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center announced their joint theme for the 2024 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The theme, "Bridging Histories, Shaping Our Future," aims to foster intergenerational connections, action, and reflection within the communities.The annual celebration in May acknowledges the significant contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI)...
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $700 Million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding, Partnership with Bureau of Reclamation at White House Clean Water Summit
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Indian Health Service (IHS) has revealed a significant development in water and sanitation infrastructure funding for Tribal communities. At the White House Clean Water Summit, $700 million in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) was announced alongside a memorandum of understanding with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to enhance collaboration and streamline Tribal access to resources.HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Investing in critical...
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HHS Finalizes Rule to Enhance Services and Protections for Unaccompanied Children
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced the unveiling of the Unaccompanied Children Program Foundational Rule, aimed at setting clear standards and protections for unaccompanied children in its care. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the department's commitment to the well-being of these children, stating, "The Foundational Rule underscores HHS’ unwavering commitment to the health, safety, and welfare of unaccompanied children in our care."The final rule not only implements the 1997 Flores...
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Biden-Harris Administration Releases National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and First-Ever Federal Action Plan
The Biden Harris Administration, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has unveiled the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and Federal Action Plan. This marks the first time in over a decade that a new 10-year strategy has been introduced to tackle the urgent public health crisis of suicide.The National Strategy, developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aims to address the growing concerns surrounding suicide in the United...
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HHS Celebrates Earth Day 2024 with Fact Sheet of Accomplishments
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) marked Earth Day 2024 by highlighting a wide range of initiatives and accomplishments aimed at addressing climate change and environmental hazards. Various programs and collaborations were announced to support health sector resilience, sustainability, and decarbonization.The HHS Climate Change and Health Equity Strategy Supplement summarizes efforts on resilience and decarbonization, while the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity introduced a Catalytic Program to assist organizations in taking advantage of tax...
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HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s Statement on Earth Day
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra released a statement on Earth Day emphasizing the crucial link between our health and the health of the planet. He highlighted the impacts of climate change on communities across the country, stating, "Climate change is characterized by deep inequities, it’s often the communities who have suffered from past injustices and who have the least access to health care that are hit the hardest. They deserve better."Becerra also discussed the initiatives taken by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address climate change and health...
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The Biden-Harris Administration Strengthens Privacy Protections for Reproductive Health Care Under HIPAA
The Biden-Harris Administration, through the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has announced a new rule to enhance privacy protections for medical records and health information related to lawful reproductive health care. The Final Rule, titled "HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy," aims to safeguard patient confidentiality and prevent the unauthorized disclosure of protected health information (PHI) in certain circumstances.HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of this...
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Biden-Harris Administration Takes Historic Action to Increase Access to Quality Care, and Support to Families and Care Workers
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced historic actions to support family caregivers, boost compensation for care workers, and improve care options in nursing homes. These actions, announced during Care Workers Recognition Month, are part of President Biden's commitment to improve the quality of care in federally-funded facilities."HHS has been at the center of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to improve care and caregiving for Americans at all stages of their lives," said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. The new rules aim to enhance...
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ONC Releases Common Agreement Version 2.0, Paving the Way for TEFCA Exchange via FHIR
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) and its Recognized Coordinating Entity® (RCE™), The Sequoia Project, Inc., announced today that Common Agreement Version 2.0 (CA v2.0) has been released. The Common Agreement establishes the technical infrastructure model and governing approach for different health information networks and their users to securely share clinical information with each other – all under commonly agreed-to rules-of-the-road. The seven designated...
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HHS Marks Earth Day with Programming to Reduce Sector-Wide Emissions and Tools to Address Extreme Heat
Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of preparing the health sector for the challenges brought on by climate change. Becerra stated, “The catastrophic and chronic risks to health posed by climate change are growing...We’re ramping up our efforts to make sure that the health sector is prepared for the threats that the summer will bring to communities, workers and families while also deepening its own sustainability through the billions of dollars in available tax credits, grants and other supports introduced by the IRA.”One of the...
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HHS Leadership Marks One-Year Anniversary of President Biden’s Care Executive Order
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) commemorated the one-year anniversary of President Biden's Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers with statements from key officials.Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of care, stating, “No one will go through their life without providing care for someone or needing it themselves. Care is a true equalizer.” He highlighted the administration's efforts to ensure access to essential care for all Americans and to support caregivers.Deputy...
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Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs Engages with Youth in St. Louis, MO
On April 3, 2024, staff from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Regional 7 and the HHS Office of Population Affairs (OPA) engaged with youth in St. Louis, MO. The event included a youth rally and a roundtable discussion on adolescent health.More than 20 schools and 3,000 middle and high school youth from across St. Louis, MO and East St. Louis, IL gathered at the St. Louis University Chaifetz Arena for a youth empowerment rally. HHS Region 7 Director Joe Palm and Deputy Assistant Secretary Jessica Swafford Marcella attended the rally, with DASPA...