The government assumes responsibility for public health.
In the United States, the principal agency responsible for public health is the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The mission of the HHS is to protect public health and provide essential services to those least able to provide for themselves. Kathleen Sebellius, who serves as the 21st Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, believes that keeping people healthy not only saves money and increases efficiency, but offers people a higher quality of life.
History
Public health has been a concern of the American government from the earliest days of the republic. In 1798, an act was passed that established a federal network of hospitals to offer care to merchant seamen. This network was the forerunner of today's United States Public Health Service. Through the years, presidential appointments and Acts of Congress expanded and established federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the National Institute of Health (NIH). These agencies partner with eight other federal agencies make up the current face of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Scope
The Office of the Secretary performs the work of the HHS with a team of eleven agencies responsible for research, public health, food and drug safety, grants and other funding, health insurance, and more. The resources of the HHS are dispersed to a diverse group of Americans through agencies such as the Indian Health Services (IHS), the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and the Administration on Aging (AOA). Wellness and prevention are top priorities of all HHS agencies, as well as the provision of adequate access to health care for all Americans.
Budget
The fiscal year 2011 budget for public health is $910,679 million dollars. This budget is fluid because current legislation may increase or decrease available funds during the year. Medicare funding makes up 51 percent of the HHS budget, while Medicaid gets 33 percent. The remaining budget outlay goes to Discretionary Programs, Children's Entitlement Program (CEP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and other mandatory programs. The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), a subsidiary of the CEP, makes it possible for states to offer health insurance to low-income children. Special needs children receive enhanced access to care through the CHIP program.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was passed by Congress on February 13, 2009. Stated goals of the Recovery Act are to create and save jobs, spur economic activity and investment, and promote accountability in government. The Recovery Act also underwrites a process to computerize health records in an attempt to reduce medical errors and health care costs. Funding from the Recovery Act is not included in the public health budget.
Policy
The Office of the Secretary, under Congressional oversight, regulates and sets policy for every agency under its influence. Regulations are in place to maintain civil rights for all, financial obligations, food and drug benefits, diverse human services, medical and health care, poverty initiatives, evaluation, health information technology, and other administrative policies and guidance.
Additionally, the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) maintains regulatory oversight of all research programs sponsored by the HHS and advises on ethical issues in biomedical or behavioral research. These research protections are in place for the safety and well being of research subjects.
Highlights
There have been many highlights in the history of the Public Health Service. In 1990, the PHS passed the Human Genome Project and the authorization of the food label with the passage of Nutrition Labeling and Education Act. Additionally, the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resource Emergency (CARE) Act also offered care and support to people suffering from HIV or AIDS.
The Social Security Administration became an independent agency in 1995, and disabled Americans were offered the freedom to work and maintain their Medicare benefits with the passage of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. In 2000, human genome sequencing was published. In July 2010, the Obama administration passed the first ever National HIV/Aids Strategy (NHAS).
Tags: Department Health, Department Health Human, health care, Health Human, Health Human Services, agencies such
