U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

What does the health and human services secretary do?

By Angela Mattie, The Conversation

The secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, plays a significant role in every American’s access to health care and in the nation’s overall well-being.

Migrant children suffered 'severe' sexual abuse under housing provider's care, DOJ says

By Paul Weber, Valerie Gonzalez, Associated Press

Southwest Key, the largest housing provider for unaccompanied migrant children, has engaged in “severe, pervasive" sexual abuse and harassment of children in its care over the past eight years, the Justice Department alleges.

Health secretary Becerra slams Texas abortion pill ruling as 'reckless' and 'not America'

By Hope Yen, Associated Press

The nation's top health official said Sunday that a court ruling threatening the availability of a main drug used in medication abortion was “not America" and he did not rule out defying the judge's order if necessary.

Panel calls for stronger leadership, clearer mission of FDA foods program

By JoNel Aleccia, Associated Press

A panel is calling for changes at the federal agency that oversees most of the nation's food supply, saying revamped leadership, a clear mission and more urgency are needed to prevent illness outbreaks and to promote good health.

Panel urges changes to make U.S. organ transplants more fair

By Associated Press

Friday's report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine says there are ways to save many more lives.

WATCH: Senate Appropriations Committee holds hearing on CDC Budget

By News Desk

The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking is a $1.6 billion increase in CDC funding as it continues to manage the pandemic and vaccination efforts.

WATCH: HHS Secretary Becerra and HUD Secretary Fudge announce vaccine rollout for homeless

By Associated Press

The federal departments of health and housing have launched a joint project to provide coronavirus vaccines to the homeless and people living in low-income neighborhoods and subsidized housing.

WATCH: Harris swears in Becerra as health secretary

By Associated Press

The position Xavier Becerra fills is key position in the administration's coronavirus response and its ambitious push to lower drug costs, expand insurance coverage, and eliminate racial disparities in medical care.

U.S. to open more beds for detained immigrant children

By Nomaan Merchant, Associated Press

A memo issued Friday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tells service providers to "temporarily increase capacity to full licensed capacity ... while implementing and adhering to strict COVID-19 mitigation measures."…