GovernmentHealth

What does the Department of Health and Human Services do?

Data updated January 23, 2025

The Department of Health and Human Services is a cabinet-level executive branch agency responsible for overseeing public health policy and administering funding for health programs and services. The department's functions include managing national health programs like Medicare and Medicaid, advancing medical research, ensuring food and drug safety, and promoting health equity for all individuals. It was established in 1980 after the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare was reorganized into separate entities.

Other names and abbreviations for the Department of Health and Human Services:

  • HHS
In FY 2024,

$1.7T

was spent by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
In FY 2024,

25.4%

of federal spending was by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services spent $1.7 trillion in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 25.4% of the $6.8 trillion in overall federal spending. The department ranked first among federal agencies in total spending.

The Department of Health and Human Services accounted for 25.4% of all federal spending in FY 2024.

10 government agencies accounted for 97.0% of federal spending in FY 2024

Federal spending may shift over time due to population growth, changes in policy and programs, and emerging problems to address. Since FY 1980, overall federal spending has risen 193.7%, while Department of Health and Human Services spending has increased 547.3%.
The department’s spending grew more than overall spending, which means that the department’s share of the federal budget increased. In FY 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services accounted for 25.4% of all federal spending, 13.9 percentage points higher than in FY 1980. In the last 10 years, that share has decreased 1.1 point.
Major legislation, internal or global economic conditions, and acute events like the COVID-19 pandemic can affect spending year to year. For example, the federal budget fluctuated during the pandemic, rising from $5.3 trillion (in 2023 dollars) in 2019 to $7.7 trillion in 2020 and $7.8 trillion in 2021.

The Department of Health and Human Services’s share of federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than FY 1980.

Percentage of federal budget dedicated to HHS, FYs 1980–2024

Most federal spending can be categorized as direct or indirect. Direct spending refers to money the federal government spends on budget items such as federal programs, employee salaries, and debt interest. Indirect spending refers to federal transfers to state and local governments.
In FY 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services transferred 42.6% of its total spending to states and local governments.
The chart below outlines all HHS spending.

How did the Department of Health and Human Services spend its budget in 2024?

Federal government spending isolated to HHS, FY 2024

Federal agencies often contain divisions including bureaus, offices, and subagencies. In FY 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services' divisions with the highest expenditures were the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Administration for Children and Families, and the National Institutes of Health.

The Department of Health and Human Services’s highest-spending division is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

HHS spending by division, FY 2024

Who leads the Department of Health and Human Services?

HHS is led by the secretary of Health and Human Services, who is nominated by the president, confirmed by the Senate, and then sworn into office. They are one of the 15 cabinet members serving at the president's discretion. This appointed position typically ends when the appointee resigns, is replaced, or when a new president takes office and appoints their own cabinet. Some cabinet members serve temporarily during transitions between administrations.


HHS has 13 divisions that operate across 10 regions. Each region is led by a director, also appointed by the president.

Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.

  • Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury

    Budget of the US Government and Monthly Treasury Statement

    Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury logo