This fiscal year, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has a discretionary spending budget of $144.3 billion. That money will generate important scientific knowledge; track the spread of infectious diseases; advance the approval of new drugs and medical devices, identify defective health products and tainted food and cosmetics, and encourage us to avoid tobacco, watch our blood pressure, control our weight, and respond to public health and medical crises.

All these things must be communicated effectively to empower Americans to make appropriate health decisions for themselves, their families and communities.

Previous HHS health communications efforts — the

Reports highlight for regulated entities where to focus HIPAA compliance efforts

On February 14, 2024, the US Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights issued two Reports to Congress on Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) compliance and enforcement, specifically, on HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rule Compliance and Breach of Unsecured Protected Health Information. These reports are required to be submitted to Congress annually by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009. The HIPAA Rules provide the minimum required privacy and security safeguards for protected