Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

HHS.gov
  • About HHS
  • Programs & Services
  • Grants & Contracts
  • Laws & Regulations

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Open
  3. Plain Writing and Clear Communications

Plain Writing and Clear Communications

<Back to HHS.gov/open

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:

  • May 2022 Plain Writing Act Compliance Report
  • April 2021 Plain Writing Act Compliance Report
  • April 2020 Plain Writing Act Compliance Report
  • April 2019 Plain Writing Act Compliance Report
  • April 2018 Plain Writing Act Compliance Report
  • April 2017 Plain Writing Act Compliance Report
  • April 2016 Plain Writing Act Compliance Report
  • May 2015 Plain Writing Act Compliance Report
  • June 2014 Plain Writing Act Compliance Report
  • April 2013 Plain Writing Act Compliance Report
  • April 2012 Plain Writing Act Compliance Report

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

2022 HHS Plain Writing Contacts

Office Name
HHS - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Dr. Ekaterini Malliou
ACL - Administration for Community Living Christine Phillips
AHRQ - Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality Bruce Seeman
ASA - Assistant Secretary for Administration Luis Vasquez
ASL - Assistant Secretary for Legislation Jonathan Osborne
ASPE - Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning & Evaluation Jennifer Burnszynski
ASPR - Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response Adam DeVore
ASPA - Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Daniel Kuhns
CDC - Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Dogan Eroglu
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
NIH - National Institutes of Health Christen Sandoval
OCR - Office for Civil Rights Steve Novy
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
OHRP - Office for Human Research Protections 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 Randy Vanderpool
ONC - Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology Lisa Lewis
OPA - Office of Population Affairs Emily Novick
SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Charissa Pallas
Content created by Immediate Office of the Secretary (IOS)
Content last reviewed March 13, 2023
Back to top
  • Contact HHS
  • Careers
  • HHS FAQs
  • Nondiscrimination Notice
  • HHS Archive
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Viewers & Players
  • Budget/Performance
  • Inspector General
  • Web Site Disclaimers
  • EEO/No Fear Act
  • FOIA
  • The White House
  • USA.gov

Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
HHS Logo

HHS Headquarters

200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​