Legal Definitions - HHS

HHS

HHS stands for Department of Health and Human Services.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a government agency in the United States that is responsible for protecting the health of Americans and providing essential human services. HHS oversees a wide range of programs and services, including healthcare, public health, social services, and biomedical research.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a part of HHS.
• HHS provides funding for Medicaid, a program that helps low-income individuals and families access healthcare.

The first example illustrates how the CDC, which is responsible for protecting public health and safety, is a part of HHS. The second example shows how HHS provides funding for Medicaid, which is a program that helps people who may not be able to afford healthcare on their own.