Department of Health and Human Services: What It Does

Few federal agencies touch as many lives as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. From the safety of the food you eat to the health coverage you rely on, HHS and its 13 operating divisions shape public health and social services for over 330 million Americans.

Annual Budget (2024): $1.7 trillion ·
Employees: More than 80,000 ·
Operating Divisions: 13 agencies ·
Founded: 1953 (as Department of Health, Education, and Welfare)

Five numbers capture the scale of HHS: its budget, workforce, divisions, history, and current leadership.

What does the Department of Health and Human Services do?

Mission and core functions

• HHS is the U.S. federal agency responsible for protecting health and providing essential human services, especially for vulnerable populations (HHS Programs and Services).
• It administers major programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) (CMS).
• It oversees public health activities through CDC, FDA, NIH, and other agencies (HHS Agencies).

In practice, that means HHS touches nearly every aspect of health: from approving a new vaccine to funding community health centers. The department’s official mission is “to enhance the health and well‑being of all Americans” (HHS.gov homepage).

Key public health responsibilities

• Disease surveillance and outbreak response—CDC (CDC Organization).
• Food safety and drug regulation—FDA (FDA About).
• Biomedical research—NIH (NIH What We Do).

Human and social services oversight

• Child welfare programs, including Head Start (HHS).
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (HHS).
• Aging and disability services (HHS).

The implication: HHS bridges health care and social welfare—a dual role that makes it both a health insurer and a safety‑net provider for millions.

What programs does the Department of Health and Human Services offer?

Health insurance programs (Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP)

• Medicare provides health coverage for people 65+ and certain younger individuals with disabilities (CMS).
• Medicaid offers coverage to low‑income individuals and families (CMS).
• CHIP covers children in families who earn too much for Medicaid but not enough for private insurance (Medicaid.gov).
• Combined, these programs cover over 160 million Americans (CMS About).

Public health programs (vaccines, disease prevention)

• CDC’s Vaccines for Children program provides free vaccines to eligible children (CDC VFC).
• FDA ensures the safety of the nation’s drug and vaccine supply (FDA).
• NIH funds research on disease prevention and treatment (NIH).

Human services programs (child care, food assistance)

• Head Start supports early childhood education for low‑income families (HHS).
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps with heating and cooling costs (HHS).
• TANF provides temporary cash assistance and work opportunities (HHS).

What this means: HHS doesn’t just oversee health care—it also runs a hidden social safety net. The same department that funds cancer research also keeps the lights on for families through LIHEAP.

How can I contact the Department of Health and Human Services?

Official phone numbers and helplines

• General HHS inquiries: 1‑877‑696‑6775 (toll‑free) (HHS Contact).
• Medicare questions: 1‑800‑MEDICARE (1‑800‑633‑4227) (Medicare.gov).
• Medicaid/CHIP: Contact your state’s Medicaid office (Medicaid.gov).
• HHS headquarters: 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20201 (HHS Facilities).

Online contact forms and email

• HHS contact form available at hhs.gov/contact (HHS Contact).
• Many program‑specific inquiries can be submitted through agency websites (e.g., FDA, CDC).

Social media channels

• Follow @HHSGov on Twitter/X for news and updates (HHS official X account).
• HHS also maintains Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram accounts.

The catch: Because HHS is huge, the fastest way to get help is often through the specific agency or program—not the main switchboard. If you need Medicare, call Medicare directly; if you need a vaccine record, start with your state health department.

Where can I find a Department of Health and Human Services office near me?

Regional offices map

• HHS has 10 regional offices across the U.S., each serving multiple states (HHS Regional Offices).
• Regional offices handle grants, emergency response coordination, and field operations.

Local HHS agency offices

• Many programs (like Head Start) are administered locally through state and county agencies (HHS Answers).
• For Medicaid or TANF, contact your state’s health and human services department.

HHS field locations by program

• FDA has field offices and laboratories nationwide (FDA Field Offices).
• CDC maintains facilities in Atlanta and other key cities (CDC Locations).
• NIH is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, with campuses across the country (NIH Visiting).

Why it matters: Even though HHS is a federal agency, most face‑to‑face services happen at the state or local level. Knowing which office handles your specific need can save hours of phone tag.

Who is the current Secretary of Health and Human Services?

Secretary Xavier Becerra’s background

• Xavier Becerra is the 25th Secretary of HHS, serving since March 2021 (HHS Leadership).
• Previously, he served as Attorney General of California and as a U.S. Representative.
• He is the first Latino to hold the HHS Secretary position.

Role and responsibilities of the Secretary

• The Secretary oversees the department’s policy, budget, and all 13 operating divisions (HHS Agencies).
• They are a key member of the President’s cabinet.
• They represent the U.S. on global health matters.

How the Secretary is appointed

• Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate (HHS Leadership).

The trade‑off: Secretary Becerra inherited an agency strained by the pandemic, rising healthcare costs, and political divides over vaccine mandates. His tenure has focused on expanding coverage through the Affordable Care Act and modernizing public health data systems.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear about HHS

In their own words: mission and leadership perspective

The mission of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is to enhance the health and well‑being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services.

HHS.gov (official website)

Our goal is to make sure every American has access to quality, affordable health care and the support they need to live healthy lives.

Secretary Xavier Becerra, HHS press release (2023)

For the millions of Americans who depend on Medicare, Medicaid, or the health insurance marketplace, the stakes of HHS funding decisions are personal. The choice lawmakers face is clear: invest in the department’s infrastructure, or risk the resilience of the nation’s health safety net.

The department’s leadership has recently drawn attention with the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary, a figure whose environmental background has sparked debate about the agency’s direction.

Frequently asked questions