Comments by "Psongman" (@psongman9536) on "Sen. Johnson gets round of applause at RFK Jr. hearing" video.
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@augustuscaeser5895 The Health and Human Services secretary has several key powers that allow them to fund and implement programs and initiatives critical to American health and well-being.
One of these powers is the right to administer and regulate Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, or ACA. The largest portion of the HHS budget goes to Medicare and Medicaid programs, which account for 52 percent and 33 percent of funds, respectively. The secretary, in coordination with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, sets guidelines for coverage, payment and service delivery. The secretary also issues regulations and guidelines to implement ACA provisions, manage the federal health insurance marketplace, ensure compliance with ACA requirements and educate the public about their rights and benefits under the ACA.
The HHS secretary also has oversight of medical and scientific research. Through the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, the secretary yields broad power in allocating funding and promoting study of the causes, diagnosis, treatment, control and prevention of diseases. The NIH has an annual budget of more than $47 billion.
With the proliferation of international travel, the health of the country is increasingly dependent on the health of the world. The HHS secretary represents the U.S. in global health matters, often collaborating with the World Health Organization, foreign governments and ministries of health to enhance pandemic preparedness and global health security.
Public health emergencies
The HHS secretary also has legal authority to prepare for and respond to public health and medical emergencies.
For example, the Public Health Service Act authorizes the HHS secretary to lead federal responses to health threats, including declaring a public health emergency to control communicable diseases.
Through the Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act allows the HHS secretary to oversee the safety and efficacy of food, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and cosmetics.
The secretary can also enable the FDA to issue an emergency use authorization, enabling clinicians to use unapproved medical products to manage specific conditions in an emergency. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the HHS secretary declared that the circumstances justified the FDA to issue an EUA for the COVID-19 vaccines, allowing them to be quickly brought to the market.
Under the Social Security Act, the secretary is authorized to waive or modify certain Medicare, Medicaid and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, requirements. This provision ensures that health care items and services are available for programs under the Social Security Act during public emergencies.
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