Office Structure

The Office of the Secretary is directly supported by the Deputy Secretary, and a number of Assistant Secretaries and Offices.

• Immediate Office of the Secretary (IOS)
  The Immediate Office of the Secretary includes:
  • Office of the Deputy Secretary (DS) The Deputy Secretary is responsible for the operations of the largest civilian department in the federal government.
  • Office of the Chief of Staff (COS)
  • The Executive Secretariat (ES)
  • Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) IGA's mission is to facilitate communication regarding HHS initiatives as they relate to state, local, and tribal governments.
  • Office of the Secretary's Regional Directors Regional Directors are provided by Region and States within the region.
  • Office on Disability (OD)The OD serves as an advisor on HHS activities relating to disability.
• Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (ASAM)
  ASAM provides leadership for HHS departmental management, including human resource policy, grants management, acquisitions, and departmental operations.
• Assistant Secretary for Resources and Technology (ASRT)
  ASRT provides advice and guidance to the Secretary on budget, financial management, and information technology, and grants management, and to provide for the direction and coordination of these activities through the Department.
• Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH)
  ASH serves as the Secretary's primary advisor on matters involving the nation's public health and oversees HHS' U.S. Public Service (PHS) for the Secretary.
• Assistant Secretary for Legislation (ASL)
  ASL Serves as the primary link between the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and Congress.
• Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
  ASPE in the principal advisor on policy development, and is responsible for major activities in policy coordination, legislation development, strategic planning, policy research, evaluation, and economic analysis.
• Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA)
  ASPA serves as the principle counsel on public affairs matters, conducts a national public affairs program, provides centralized leadership and guidance for public affairs activities within HHS' staff and operation divisions and regional offices, and administers the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.
• Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR)
  ASPR serves as the principal advisory staff on matters related to bioterrism and other public health emergencies.
• Departmental Appeals Board (DAB)
  DAB provides prompt, fair, and impartial dispute resolution services to parties in many different kinds of disputes involving components of HHS.
• Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
  OCR enforces Federal laws that prohibit discrimination by health care and human services providers that receive funds from HHS.
• Office of Global Health Affairs (OGHA)
  OGHA represents the Department to the governments, other Federal Departments and agencies, international organizations and the private sector on international and refugee health issues.
• Office of Inspector General (OIG)
  OIG protects the integrity of HHS programs, as well as the health and welfare of the beneficiaries of those programs.
• Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA)
  OMHA administers nationwide hearings for the Medicare program.
• Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)
  ONC provides counsel to the Secretary of HHS and Departmental leadership for the development and nationwide implementation of an interoperable health information technology infrastructure.
• Office of the General Counsel (OGC)
  OGC is the legal team for HHS, providing quality representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible national issues.
• Center for Faith Based and Community Initiatives (CFBCI)
  CFBCI provides information and technical assistance for faith-based and community organizations to compete more effectively for Federal funds.