U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
U.S. Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | Cabinet-Level Federal Department
Recent News About U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
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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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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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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 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, 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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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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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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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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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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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...
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The U.S. Surgeon General has issued an advisory on the effect of social media on the country's youth that suggests its benefits are offset by its risks to mental health.
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HHS Releases New Guidance to Encourage States to Apply for New Medicaid Reentry Section 1115 Demonstration Opportunity to Increase Health Care for People Leaving Carceral Facilities