Protecting the Health and Safety of HHS Beneficiaries

HHS programs provide critical services to diverse populations across a broad range of settings including hospitals, clinics, child care facilities, shelters, and beneficiaries’ own homes. Some services are directly provided by HHS personnel, some delivered via HHS grant programs, some delivered by contractors working for HHS, and others rendered by professionals of a beneficiary’s choosing who then claim reimbursements from Federal programs. Services include health care, education, child care, and, in limited circumstances, taking legal custody for select populations. Ensuring that intended beneficiaries receive appropriate services that meet standards for quality, are free from abuse or neglect, and are not exposed to infectious agents represents a major challenge for the Department. As the Department supports the Nation’s efforts to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be challenges to ensuring safety and quality for beneficiaries receiving all varieties of care and services.