Overview

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (PDF - 1.07 MB) was signed into law by President Obama on February 17th, 2009. It is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act is an extraordinary response to a crisis unlike any since the Great Depression, and includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.

Commitment to Increasing Access to Health Care for People across the Country

In the Next 100 Days: Enable 1,129 Health Centers in 50 States and Eight Territories to Provide Expanded Service to Approximately 300,000 Patients

Why? As the cost of health care goes up and more people are losing coverage or even worse, losing their jobs, a growing number of people are turning to government sponsored health care for themselves and their families.

Learn more about how this commitment will be accomplished.

Implementation

HHS is committed to a timely implementation. Plans for spending, reporting, auditing, and investigation of fraud and abuse of Recovery funds are being developed and will be made available here.

Total Obligated HHS Funds: $42.4 Billion (as of 08/14/09)

Total Gross Outlays: $27.6 Billion (as of 08/14/09)

List of Programs for Which Funding Has Been Announced:

• Adoption Assistance and Foster Care Programs
• American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) Health Care Construction and Information Technology Funding
• Child Care and Development Fund
• Child Support Incentives
• Community Health Center Program
• Community Services Block Grant Program
• Comparative Effectiveness Research Funding
• Early Head Start and Head Start Expansion
• Immunization Grants Program
• Medicaid and Prescription Drug Funding
• National Health Service Corps
• NIH Medical Research and Construction Funding
• Senior Nutrition Programs
• State Health Information Technology Grants
• Strengthening Communities Fund
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Programs

Major Activities

As of August 14, 2009:

• Cumulative Recovery Act Medicaid FMAP State draw downs total about $ 26.8 billion.

Awards

• There was one CDC contract award of $306.8 million to various vaccine manufacturers and/or distributors for vaccines and three NIH contract awards.
• The National Institute of Mental Health announced the award of $25 million for the initial two phases of the Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode –RAISE – project. (July 21)
• The Fogarty International Center awarded $3 million to Vanderbilt University’s Institute for Global Health, which administers Fogarty’s scholars program.  The funds will create positions for 23 early-career scientists, who will focus on such health problems as acute heart failure, HIV and respiratory infections. (July 22)