News and Events from the Department of Health and Human Services http://www.hhs.gov/news/ Fri, 08 May 2009 12:30:00 EST The Department of Health and Human Services today announced the appointment of three members to the Health Information Technology (HIT) Policy Committee as well as members of the HIT Standards Committee. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/05/20090508a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/05/20090508a.html Fri, 08 May 2009 12:30:00 EST The Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research will hold its second public listening session on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, in Chicago. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/05/200900507c.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/05/200900507c.html Fri, 08 May 2009 11:15:00 EST Citing the rapidly escalating cost of health care in this country and the enormous pressures that health care costs are putting on our economic future, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today highlighted key reforms in President Obama’s 2010 HHS budget. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/05/200900507b.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/05/200900507b.html Thu, 07 May 2009 13:00:00 EST HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today welcomed Deputy Secretary Bill Corr and Indian Health Service Director Dr. Yvette Roubideaux to the Department of Health and Human Services. Corr and Roubideaux were confirmed unanimously by the Senate on Wednesday evening. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/05/200900507a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/05/200900507a.html Thu, 07 May 2009 10:30:00 EST At a speech before the AFSCME Nurses Conference Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today discussed two new HHS reports on the quality of health care in America and challenged hospitals to work to reduce health care associated infections. Published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the annual 2008 National Healthcare Quality Report and 2008 National Healthcare Disparities Report indicate that patient safety measures have worsened and that a substantial number of Americans do not receive recommended care. Upon issuing the reports, Sebelius also announced the availability of $50 million in Recovery Act resources to fight health care associated infections and improve patient safety. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/05/200900506a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/05/200900506a.html Wed, 06 May 2009 8:30:00 EST HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Acting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Richard Besser announced new CDC guidance on closure of schools and child care facilities where there has been reported cases of the novel H1N1 flu virus. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/05/200900505a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/05/200900505a.html Tue, 05 May 2009 14:30:00 EST Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released a new report, Hard Times in the Heartland: Health Care in Rural America, outlining the health care challenges facing rural communities. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/05/20090504a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/05/20090504a.html Mon, 04 May 2009 11:00:00 EST U.S. hospitals are significantly better prepared for disasters and public health emergencies now than they were in 2001, but much work remains to be done, according to a University of Pittsburgh Medical Center study. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090423c.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090423c.html Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST HHS’ Office for Civil Rights and Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Sign Settlement Agreement. A licensed assisted living facility for Alaska seniors has modified its transportation policies and practices to better accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090423a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090423a.html Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published guidance today regarding technologies and methodologies to secure health information and prevent harm by rendering health information unusable, unreadable, or indecipherable to unauthorized individuals. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act required publication of the guidance by April 18. This builds on the existing requirements of the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, which are unchanged. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090417a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090417a.html Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:30:00 EST The Department of Health and Human Services today announced the selection of Henry Claypool as director of the HHS Office on Disability. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090415a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090415a.html Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST The Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research will hold a public listening session on April 14, 2009, in Washington D.C. The council will hear public comment regarding comparative effectiveness research and the Coordinating Council’s activities. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090413a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090413a.html Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced plans to make $1 billion available for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the new resources will be allocated to states across the country. States will distribute the new funding to community groups that help Americans through tough economic times. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090410a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090410a.html Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST Child Care and Vaccination Programs to Benefit from Recovery Act. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090409a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090409a.html Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST Council Will Hear Public Comments on Comparative Effectiveness Research Priorities in the Recovery Act. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090407a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090407a.html Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EST The Federal Health Architecture is making software available as a first step to help public and private health information technology systems communicate to the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN), a federal initiative to facilitate the electronic exchange of health information. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090406a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090406a.html Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the availability of up to an additional $5 billion in emergency funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090403a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090403a.html Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST New Funds Will Improve Centers, Serve Tens of Thousands More Children and Families, Create Jobs. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090402a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090402a.html Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST