Health Care Policy, Politics, and Process

1.) 

The Department of Health and Human Services: The US government’s principal agency for providing essential human services through more than 300 programs, administered by 11 HHS operating divisions, including eight agencies in the U.S. Public Health Service and three human services agencies.
 

Some HHS departments relevant to this course are:

The agency responsible for administering the Medicare Program and parts of the Medicaid program. CMS is responsible for oversight of HIPAA administrative simplification transaction and code sets, health identifiers, and security standards. Also maintains the HCPCS medical code set.
 

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Research on the safety, quality, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare delivery and services by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Includes statistical portraits of how healthcare is delivered and paid for in the United States.
 

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Improve and expand access to quality health care for all by eliminating barriers to care, eliminating health disparities, assuring quality of care and improving public health and healthcare systems.
 

2.)  

​Supports clinical research to establish a scientific basis for the care of individuals -- from management of patients during illness and recovery to the reduction of risks for disease and disability, the promotion of healthy lifestyles, promoting quality of life in those with chronic illness, and care for individuals at the end of life.
 

3.) 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration: The Federal agency charged with improving the quality and availability of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitative services in order to reduce illness, death, disability, and cost to society resulting from substance abuse and mental illnesses
 

4.) 

​​The lead federal agency for protecting health and safety at home and abroad. Provides credible information to enhance health decisions and promote health through strong partnerships.​ A relevant CDC Department is:

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: The Federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related disease and injury.