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HHS Agencies & Offices

HHS has 11 operating divisions, including eight agencies in the U.S. Public Health Service and three human services agencies. These divisions administer a wide variety of health and human services and conduct life-saving research for the nation, protecting and serving all Americans.

The Office of the Secretary (OS), HHS’s chief policy officer and general manager, administers and oversees the organization, its programs, and its activities. The Deputy Secretary and a number of Assistant Secretaries and Offices support OS.

The Administration for Children & Families promotes the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities through a range of educational and supportive programs in partnership with states, tribes, and community organizations.

Established:
1991, bringing together several already-existing programs
Budget (billions): $49.73 FY2013 Staff: 1,287
Leadership:
Naomi Goldstein
Headquarters: Washington, D.C. Phone: 202-401-9200

The Administration for Community Living increases access to community support and resources for the unique needs of older Americans and people with disabilities.

Established:
2012, bringing the Administration on Aging, the Administration of Developmental Disabilities, and Office on Disabilities together.
Budget (billions): $2.07 FY2013 Staff: 148
Leadership:
Edwin Walker
Headquarters: Washington, D.C. Phone: 202-619-0724

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's mission is to produce evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable, and to work within HHS and with other partners to make sure that the evidence is understood and used.

Established:
1989
Budget (billions): $0.43 FY2016 Staff: 314
Leadership:
Sharon Arnold, Ph.D.
Headquarters: Rockville, MD Phone: 301-427-1364

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry prevents exposure to toxic substances and the adverse health effects and diminished quality of life associated with exposure to hazardous substances from waste sites, unplanned releases, and other sources of environmental pollution.

Established:
1980
Budget (billions): Part of CDC Staff: 306
Leadership:
Anne Schuchat, MD, RADM, USPHS
Headquarters: Atlanta, GA Phone: 800-232-4636

ASA provides leadership for HHS departmental management, including human resource policy and departmental operations.

Leadership:

ASFR provides advice and guidance to the Secretary on budget, financial management, acquisition policy and support, grants management, and small business programs. It also directs and coordinates these activities throughout the Department.

Leadership:

ASGA promotes the health and well-being of Americans and the world’s population by advancing HHS’s global strategies and partnerships and working with USG agencies to coordinate global health policy.

ASH advises on the nation's public health and oversees HHS' U.S. Public Service (PHS) for the Secretary.

ASL provides advice on legislation and facilitates communication between the Department and Congress.

Leadership:

ASPE advises on policy development and contributes to policy coordination, legislation development, strategic planning, policy research, evaluation, and economic analysis. 

Leadership:

ASPR advises on matters related to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. 

ASPA provides centralized leadership and guidance on public affairs for HHS' staff, operating divisions, and regional offices. APSA also administers the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.

Leadership:

CFBNP leads the department's efforts to build and support partnerships with faith-based and neighborhood organizations to better serve individuals, families and communities in need.

Contact CFBNP: 202-358-3595 partnerships@hhs.gov

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, part of the Public Health Service, protects the public health of the nation by providing leadership and direction in the prevention and control of diseases and other preventable conditions, and responding to public health emergencies.

Established:
1946, as the Communicable Disease Center
Budget (billions): $10.24 FY2013 Staff: 11,086
Leadership:
Anne Schuchat, MD, RADM, USPHS
Headquarters: Atlanta, GA Phone: 800-232-4636

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services combines the oversight of the Medicare program, the federal portion of the Medicaid program and State Children's Health Insurance Program, the Health Insurance Marketplace, and related quality assurance activities.

Established:
1977, as the Health Care Financing Administration
Budget (billions): $763.14 FY2013 Staff: 5,951
Leadership:
Patrick Conway, MD, MSc
Headquarters: Baltimore, MD Phone: 410-786-3000

DAB provides impartial review of disputed legal decisions involving HHS. 

Contact DAB: 202-565-0200

The Food and Drug Administration, part of the Public Health Service, ensures that food is safe, pure, and wholesome; human and animal drugs, biological products, and medical devices are safe and effective; and electronic products that emit radiation are safe.

Established:
1906, when the Pure Food and Drugs Act gave regulatory authority to the Bureau of Chemistry
Budget (billions): $4.03 FY2013 Staff: 14,829
Leadership:
Stephen Ostroff, M.D.
Headquarters: Silver Spring, MD Phone: 888-463-6332

The Health Resources and Services Administration improves health and health equity through access to quality services, a skilled health workforce and innovative programs.

Established:
Established: 1982
Budget (billions): $10.3 FY2015 Staff: 1,863
Leadership:
Jim Macrae
Headquarters: Rockville, MD

IOS oversees the Secretary’s operations and coordinates the Secretary’s work.

Leadership:

The Indian Health Service, part of the Public Health Service, provides American Indians and Alaska Natives with comprehensive health services by developing and managing programs to meet their health needs.

Established:
1921 (mission transferred from the Interior Department in 1955)
Budget (billions): $5.31 FY2013 Staff: 15,429
Leadership:
RADM Chris Buchanan
Headquarters: Rockville, MD Phone: 301-443-3593

The National Institutes of Health, part of the Public Health Service, supports biomedical and behavioral research with the United States and abroad, conducts research in its own laboratories and clinics, trains promising young researchers, and promotes collecting and sharing medical knowledge.

Established:
1887, as the Hygienic Laboratory, Staten Island, NY
Budget (billions): $29.15 FY2013 Staff: 18,948
Leadership:
Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D.
Headquarters: Bethesda, MD Phone: 301-496-4000

OCR enforces federal laws that prohibit discrimination by health care and human services providers that receive funds from HHS. 

Contact OCR: (800) 368-1019 OCRMail@hhs.gov
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OIG protects the integrity of HHS programs as well as the health and welfare of the program participants.

Leadership:

IEA represents the both the government and external perspective in federal policymaking and clarifies the federal perspective to government officials and external parties.

Contact IEA: (202) 690-6060 HHSIEA@hhs.gov
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OMHA administers nationwide hearings for the Medicare program. 

Contact OMHA: (855) 556-8475 Medicare.Appeals@hhs.gov
Leadership:

The Office of the Chief Technology Officer harnesses the power of data, technology, and innovation to create a more modern and effective government that works to improve the health of the nation.

OGC provides quality representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible national issues. 

Leadership:

ONC provides counsel for the development and implementation of a national health information technology framework.

Contact ONC: (202) 690-7151 onc.request@hhs.gov
Leadership:

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, part of the Public Health Service, improves access and reduces barriers to high quality, effective programs and services for individuals who suffer from or are at risk for addictive and mental disorders, as well as for their families and communities.

Established:
1992. (A predecessor agency, the Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration, was established in 1974.)
Budget (billions): $3.35 FY2013 Staff: 627
Leadership:
Kana Enomoto
Headquarters: Rockville, MD Phone: 240-276-2000
Content created by Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA)
Content last reviewed on October 27, 2015