HHS Priority Activities

Health Care Transparency: The growth of health care costs is restrained because consumers know the comparative costs and quality of their health care — and they have a financial incentive to care. Consumers gain control of their health care and have the knowledge to make informed health care decisions.

Health Information Technology: The medical clipboard becomes a thing of the past. Secure interoperable electronic records are available to patients and their doctors anytime, anywhere. Immediate access to accurate information reduces dangerous medical errors and helps control health care costs.

Medicare Rx: Every senior has access to affordable prescription drugs. Consumers will inspire plans to provide better benefits at lower cost. Medicare Part D is streamlined and improved to better connect people with their benefits. Pay for Performance methodologies act to increase health care quality.

Medicaid Modernization: Sustainable Medicaid programs help provide coverage for millions of people who are not covered now. People in differing economic situations are helped through flexible benefits and incentives tailored to meet their needs. People with disabilities have access to care in their homes and communities.

New Orleans Health System: Adversity turns to advantage. The New Orleans health system of antiquated, inefficient emergency room care becomes a place where every citizen has a medical home that is prevention-centered, neighborhood-located and electronically-connected.

Personalized Health Care: Health care is tailored to the individual. Prevention is emphasized. Propensities for disease are identified and addressed through preemptive intervention. Discovery and innovation move higher quality and safer medical products to the market faster and more cost effectively.

Prevention: The risk of many diseases and health conditions are reduced through preventative actions. A culture of wellness deters or diminishes debilitating and costly health events. Individual health care is built on a foundation of responsibility for personal wellness, which includes regular physical activity, eating a healthful diet, taking advantage of medical screenings, and making healthy choices to avoid risky behaviors.

Pandemic Preparedness: The United States is better prepared for an influenza pandemic. Rapid vaccine production capacity is increased, national stockpiles and distribution systems are in place, disease monitoring and communication systems are expanded and local preparedness has been dramatically enhanced. Planning and preparedness encompasses all levels of government and society.

Emergency Response and Commissioned Corps Renewal: We have learned from the past and are better prepared for the future. There is an ethic of preparedness at HHS and throughout our Nation. We have a Commissioned Corps that is bigger, better trained, and deployable.