News and Events from the Department of Health and Human Services http://www.hhs.gov/news/ Fri, 17 May 2013 19:00:40 EDT Helping to answer President Obama’s call to ensure quality early education for every American child, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed today a new regulation for public comment that will better ensure children’s health and safety in child care and promote school readiness. Under the proposed rule, states, territories and tribes would be required to strengthen their standards to better promote the health, safety and school readiness of children in federally funded child care. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130516a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130516a.html Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:00 EDT HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health J. Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCE announced the winners of the Reducing Cancer Among Women of Color Challenge. A first-of-its-kind effort to address health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities, the winning apps will help women of color prevent and fight cancer.  http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130515b.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130515b.html Wed, 15 May 2013 24:05:00 EDT Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a nearly $1 billion initiative that will fund awards and evaluation to build on the Obama administration’s work to transform the health care system by delivering better care and lowering costs.  This second round of Health Care Innovation Awards will fund applicants that have a high likelihood of driving health care system transformation and delivering better outcomes. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130515a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130515a.html Wed, 15 May 2013 00:01:00 EST HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced this afternoon, that the United States Senate confirmed Marilyn Tavenner as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130515c.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130515c.html Wed, 15 May 2013 00:01:00 EST Attorney General Eric Holder and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that a nationwide takedown by Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in eight cities has resulted in charges against 89 individuals, including doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $223 million in false billings.  http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130514a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130514a.html Tue, 14 May 2013 14:00:00 EDT Starting with Mother’s Day, next week we celebrate National Women’s Health Week. As a nation, we honor the women in our lives – our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, friends, and colleagues – by encouraging them to make their health a priority and to take steps to live healthier, happier lives. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130510a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130510a.html Fri, 10 May 2013 13:00:00 EDT Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced new funding to help more uninsured Americans enroll in new health insurance coverage options made available by the Affordable Care Act. Approximately $150 million will help community health centers provide in-person enrollment assistance to uninsured individuals across the nation. About 1,200 health centers operate nearly 9,000 service delivery sites nationwide and serve approximately 21 million patients each year. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130509a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130509a.html Thu, 09 May 2013 00:01:00 EST Today, as part of the Obama administration’s work to make our health care system more affordable and accountable, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a three-part initiative that for the first time gives consumers information on what hospitals charge. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130508a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130508a.html Wed, 08 May 2013 08:45:00 EDT It has been over 30 years since asthma emerged as a growing public health threat. During this time, we have made important progress through clinical, environmental and community health interventions. May is National Asthma Awareness Month, a time for us to renew our dedication to improving health outcomes for the 26 million Americans living with asthma, including 7.1 million children. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130507a.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130507a.html Tue, 07 May 2013 13:00:00 EDT May is National Foster Care Month, a time to recommit ourselves to ensuring a better future for the more than 400,000 children in foster care throughout our nation. This year’s theme, “Supporting Youth in Transition,” helps remind us of the important role offering support plays in helping all vulnerable, at-risk children. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130506b.html http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130506b.html Mon, 06 May 2013 12:30:00 EDT