News and Events from the Department of Health and Human Services http://www.hhs.gov/news/ Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:15:00 EST The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today released two final rules that will facilitate the United States’ ongoing transition to an electronic health care environment through adoption of a new generation of diagnosis and procedure codes and updated standards for electronic health care and pharmacy transactions. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/01/20090115c.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/01/20090115c.html Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:15:00 EST The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced a $487 million multiple year contract with Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc., to build the first U.S. facility to manufacture cell-based vaccine for seasonal and pandemic flu. Because cell-based influenza vaccine can be made faster and in greater quantities than traditional vaccine, the new facility is expected to increase the U.S. capacity to make pandemic influenza vaccine by at least 25 percent. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/01/20090115b.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/01/20090115b.html Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt and Commissioner of the HHS Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D., today marked the opening of the HHS/FDA offices in New Delhi, and Mumbai, India. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/01/20090115a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/01/20090115a.html Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today released an updated and improved version of the Surgeon General’s Internet-based family health history tool. The new tool makes it easier for consumers to assemble and share family health history information. It can also help practitioners make better use of health history information so they can provide more informed and personalized care for their patients. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/01/20090113a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/01/20090113a.html Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST As part of the extensive preparation for the presidential inauguration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reminds attendees to plan ahead to prevent cold-weather related health problems. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/01/20090112a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/01/20090112a.html Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt, Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Joxel García and HHS Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D., are in Costa Rica today to mark the opening of an HHS/FDA office to serve Latin America, which completes another step in the President’s Action Plan on Import Safety. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/01/20090107a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/01/20090107a.html Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled a plan that establishes a set of five-year national prevention targets to reduce and possibly eliminate health care-associated infections (HAIs). http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/01/20090106a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/01/20090106a.html Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:00:00 EST The 5th Nationwide Health Information Network Forum, held this week in Washington, D.C., showcased the groundbreaking work of the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) trial implementations which began more than 14 months ago. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2008pres/12/20081219a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2008pres/12/20081219a.html Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:30:00 EST The right of federally funded health care providers to decline to participate in services to which they object, such as abortion, is affirmed by a final regulation that has been issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and is on display today at the Federal Register. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2008pres/12/20081218a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2008pres/12/20081218a.html Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST Health care workers and emergency services personnel who could have direct contact with individuals who are ill during an influenza pandemic should be protected with antiviral drugs throughout the pandemic, even before these workers are exposed or become ill themselves, according to guidance released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2008pres/12/20081216a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2008pres/12/20081216a.html Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST