The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) advises the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on policy development in health, disability, human services, data, and science; and provides advice and analysis on economic policy. The ASPE leads special initiatives; coordinates the Department's evaluation, research, and demonstration activities; and manages cross-Department planning activities such as strategic planning, legislative planning, and review of regulations. Integral to this role, The ASPE conducts research and evaluation studies; develops policy analyses; and estimates the cost and benefits of policy alternatives under consideration by the Department or Congress.
Organization
The ASPE is organized into five principal offices and several smaller ones. Each of the major offices is headed by a Deputy Assistant Secretary.
The Office of Disability, Aging and Long-Term Care Policy provides leadership on HHS policies that support the independence, health and productivity of elderly individuals and people with disabilities. DALTCP staff work on long-term care, post-acute care, personal assistance services, family care giving, integrated care (including for dual eligibles), rehabilitative services, employment of people with disabilities, mental health parity, and the direct care workforce.
The Office of Health Policy deals with health-related issues, including health care financing. It works closely with the Public Health Service, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Food and Drug Administration.
The Office of Human Services Policy/HHS’ Chief Economist focuses on welfare, service delivery issues, and policies affecting children, youth, and families. The office works closely with the Administration for Children and Families, the Department’s Children’s Council, and a variety of Departments and other agencies.
The Office of Science and Data Policy is the departmental focal point for policy research, analysis, evaluation, and coordination of department-wide public health science policy and data policy activities and issues. The Office provides authoritative advice and analytical support to the ASPE and departmental leadership on public health science policy and data policy issues and initiatives, coordinates science and data policy issues of interagency scope within HHS, and manages interagency initiatives in science policy and data policy. The Office works closely with staff from across the Department on strategic plan development and implementation efforts. The Offices also carries out a program of policy research, analysis, evaluation, and data development in these issues.
As part of the Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, the Office of Planning and Policy Support is responsible for coordinating and managing the agency’s budget and financial resources, research planning, human resources, information technology, information resources and records management, and HHS-wide legislative development activities.
