Plain Writing and Clear Communications

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Our promise to you:  Writing you can understand

We at HHS are committed to writing all of our documents, digital content, and communications in plain language to ensure you can easily understand:

  • Our benefits and services and how to get them
  • How to file taxes when you receive our benefits or services
  • How to comply with a requirement we administer or enforce

You can learn more about plain language in the government, and view "before and after" examples, at www.plainlanguage.gov.

Why we make this promise

Clear writing is essential to ensuring that all Americans understand what is happening within the government and is able to participate.

Additionally, the Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires all federal agencies to write "clear government communication that the public can understand and use."

Our agencies already use plain language

Our operating agencies already use plain language and train employees in the importance of clear communication. We continue to work to ensure communications are simple, direct, and understood by the people they serve.

The Department's Plain Writing Act Compliance reports provide an overview of our implementation efforts to date:

You can also review the Department's  Plain Writing Implementation Plan here.

Let us know how we're doing

You can help us to meet our plain language goals by letting us know when we fall short. If you have trouble understanding any documents or material on our websites, please contact PlainLanguage@hhs.gov

2023 HHS Plain Writing Contacts

Office Name
HHS - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Dr. Ekaterini Malliou
ACF - Administration for Children and Families Megan Steel
ACL - Administration for Community Living Christine Phillips
AHRQ - Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality Bruce Seeman
ASA - Assistant Secretary for Administration Cheryl Bodden
ASFR- Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources Christine Jones
ASL - Assistant Secretary for Legislation Jonathan Osborne
ASPE - Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning & Evaluation Jennifer Burnszynski
ASPR - Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness & Response Adam DeVore
ASPA - Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Lindsey Ross
CDC - Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Michelle Hutchinson
CMS - Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Mary Wallace
DAB - Departmental Appeals Board Adam Gazaille
FDA - Food & Drug Administration Nicole McCray-Dixon
HRSA - Health Resources and Services Administration Christy Choi
IHS - Indian Health Service Ann Church
NIH - National Institutes of Health Christen Sandoval
OASH - Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health Celinda Franco
OCR - Office for Civil Rights Harold Henderson
OCCHE - Office of Climate Change and Health Equity Arsenio Mataka
ODPHP - Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Jennifer Anne Bishop
OGA - Office of Global Affairs Susan Kim
OGC - Office of the General Counsel Daniel Barry
OHRP - Office for Human Research Protections Dr. Yvonne Lau
OIDP - Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy Ann Aikin
OIG - Office of the Inspector General Ann C. Wieland
OMHA - Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals Eileen McDaniel
ONC - Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology Lisa Lewis
ONS - Office of National Security Lisa Aguirre
OPA - Office of Population Affairs Emily Novick
SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Charissa Pallas
WHL - White House Liaison Caroline Dvorsky
Content created by Immediate Office of the Secretary (IOS)
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