The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the United States government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.

HHS represents almost a quarter of all federal outlays, and it administers more grant dollars than all other federal agencies combined. HHS’ Medicare program is the nation’s largest health insurer, handling more than 1 billion claims per year. Medicare and Medicaid together provide health care insurance for one in four Americans.

The Department’s programs are administered by 11 operating divisions, including eight agencies in the U.S. Public Health Service and three human services agencies. The department includes more than 300 programs, covering a wide spectrum of activities. In addition to the services they deliver, the HHS programs provide for equitable treatment of beneficiaries nationwide, and they enable the collection of national health and other data.

Departmental leadership is provided by the Office of the Secretary. Also included in the Department is the Office of Public Health and Science, the Office of the HHS Inspector General and the HHS Office for Civil Rights. In addition, the Program Support Center, a self-supporting division of the Department, provides administrative services for HHS and other federal agencies.
It is the largest civilian department in the federal government, with more than 67,000 employees.

HHS’s Operating Divisions:
The Secretary of Health and Human Services advises the President on health, welfare, and income security plans, policies, and programs of the Federal Government. The Secretary directs Department staff in carrying out the approved programs and activities of the Department and promotes general public understanding of the Department's goals, programs, and objectives. The Secretary administers these functions through the Office of the Secretary and the 12 operating divisions.

1. Administration on Aging (AoA) - http://www.aoa.gov
The Administration develops policies, plans, and programs designed to promote the welfare of the elderly; promotes their needs by planning programs and developing policy; and provides policy, procedural direction, and technical assistance to States and Native American tribal governments.

2. Administration for Children and Families (ACF) -- http://www.acf.hhs.gov

a. Administration on Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF). Administers State grant programs to assist States in providing independent living, child welfare services, foster care, and adoption assistance; child care programs; and State grant programs to improve and increase child abuse prevention and treatment activities and develop family preservation and family support services.

b. Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD)

c. Administration for Native Americans (ANA).

d. Child Support Enforcement (CSE). The Office assists States in establishing adequate reporting procedures and in maintaining records.

e. Community Services. Responsible for administering programs that serve low-income and needy.

f. Refugee Resettlement. Policies/programs refugee resettlement, immigration, and repatriation.

g. Office of Family Assistance. Public assistance and economic self-sufficiency programs.

3. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) -- http://www.ahrq.gov/
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, as part of the Public Health Service, is responsible for supporting research designed to improve the quality of healthcare, reduce its costs, address patient safety and medical errors, and broaden access to essential services.

4. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, as part of the Public Health Service, is charged with the prevention of exposure to toxic substances and the prevention of the adverse health effects and diminished quality of life associated with exposure to hazardous substances from waste sites, unplanned releases, and other sources of pollution present in the environment.

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) -- http://www.cdc.gov/
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as part of the Public Health Service, is charged with protecting the public health of the Nation by providing leadership and direction in the prevention of and control of diseases and other preventable conditions and responding to public health emergencies.

6. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) -- http://www.cms.hhs.gov
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services was created to combine under one administration the oversight of the Medicare program, the Federal portion of the Medicaid program and State Children's Health Insurance Program, and related quality assurance activities.

7. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -- http://www.fda.gov/
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as part of the Public Health Service, is charged with ensuring 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.
o Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
o Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
o Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
o Center for Veterinary Medicine
o Center for Devices and Radiological Health
o National Center for Toxicological Research

8. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) -- http://www.hrsa.gov/
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is the primary healthcare service agency of the Federal Government, making essential primary care services accessible to the poor, uninsured, and geographically isolated. Programs administered by HRSA include maternal and child health services, HIV/AIDS assistance programs, the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, and Hansen's disease programs.
o Bureau of Primary Health Care
o Bureau of Health Professions
o HIV/AIDS Bureau
o Healthcare Systems Bureau
o Maternal and Child Health Bureau 

9. Indian Health Service (IHS) -- http://www.ihs.gov/
The Indian Health Service provides a comprehensive health services delivery system for American Indians and Alaska Natives, with opportunity for maximum tribal involvement in developing and managing programs to meet their health needs.

10.  National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- http://www.nih.gov/
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) supports biomedical and behavioral research domestically and abroad, conducts research in its own laboratories and clinics, trains promising young researchers, and promotes acquisition and distribution of medical knowledge.

 
11.  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) -- http://www.samhsa.gov/
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a part of the Public Health Service, provides national leadership to ensure that knowledge acquired is effectively used for the prevention and treatment of addictive and mental disorders. It strives to improve access and reduce barriers to high quality, effective programs and services for individuals who suffer from or are at risk for these disorders, as well as for their families and communities. SAMHSA is comprised of:
o Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
o Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
o Center for Mental Health Services
o Office of Applied Studies

12.  Office Of Inspector General
The Inspector General is the senior official responsible for audits, evaluations, investigations, and law enforcement efforts, relating to HHS programs and operations. He manages an independent and objective nationwide organization of over 1500 professional staff members dedicated to promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in HHS programs and addressing fraud, waste, and abuse.

 
HHS BUDGET 2012
The President’s FY 2012 Budget for HHS totals $891.6 billion in outlays. The Budget proposes $79.9 billion in discretionary budget authority.