What the Secretary of Health and Human Services does
Oversees America's health care, drug safety, and disease response.
Common misconceptions(3)
- Provides health care directlyActually: Most Americans get care from private doctors and hospitals. HHS pays the bills for Medicare and Medicaid patients — it doesn't run hospitals.
- Runs veterans' health careActually: Veterans are treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which has its own separate hospital system.
- Regulates health insuranceActually: Health insurance is regulated mostly by states. HHS enforces some federal rules (like ACA protections) but doesn't set premiums.
