The Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation
The Assistant Secretary for Legislation serves as principal advisor to the Secretary with respect to all aspects of the Department's legislative agenda and Congressional liaison activities.
- Gary Andres, Assistant Secretary for Legislation
Phone: 202-690-7627
Fax: 202-690-7380
Office of Health Legislation
The Office of Health Legislation assists in the legislative agenda and is the liaison for mandatory and discretionary health programs. The discretionary health portfolio includes the health science-oriented operating divisions the Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); and staff divisions including the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health (OASH), Office of the Surgeon General (SG), and the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). This portfolio also covers Cyber security and COOP activities. The mandatory health portfolio is the liaison for health services and health care financing and handles CMS and health care reform, including Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as private sector insurance and legislative matters affecting the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) and the Department Appeals Board (DAB).
Office of Human Services Legislation
The Office of Human Services Legislation is the liaison for human services and income security policy. The portfolio includes the operating divisions the Administration of Children and Families (ACF), Administration for Community Living (ACL), Indian Health Service (HIS), Health Services Resources Administration (HSRA), and Office of the National Coordinator (ONC).
Congressional Liaison Office (CLO)
The Office of the Congressional Liaison assists with the legislative agenda and special projects. The office is the primary liaison to Members of Congress and serves as a clearinghouse for Member and congressional staff questions and requests. This office maintains the Department’s program grant and contract notification system to Members of Congress and is responsible for notifying and coordinating with Congress regarding the Secretary’s travel and event schedule. The office provides staff support for the Assistant Secretary for Legislation coordinating responsibilities to the HHS regional offices, and works with the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources to coordinate budget distribution and briefings.
Office of Oversight and Investigations
The Office of Oversight and Investigations has responsibility for all matters related to Congressional audit and investigations of Departmental programs, including those performed by GAO. The office serves as the central point of contact for the Department in handling Congressional requests for oversight interviews, briefings, and documents, developing responses with agencies within the Department, consulting with other Executive Branch entities, such as the Offices of the White House and Department of Justice, and negotiating with Congressional and GAO staff regarding investigations.