Vaccinate Before the Holidays, Opioid Use Disorder Treatment & More

[American Flag] An official email from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services [HHS 360 Logo]( Latest U.S. Department of Health & Human Services News Releases [Woman holding child and smiling]( Protect Yourself & Loved Ones During the Holidays Get your vaccines before your holiday travel and gatherings. Don't let the flu, COVID-19, and RSV take the joy out of the holidays. [Find vaccines »]( HHS News Releases Week of December 18, 2022 [HHS Awards More Than $130 Million in 988 Lifeline Grants From the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to Address Nation’s Ongoing Mental Health and Substance Use Crises]( December 16, 2022 This month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will award more than $130 million in 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline grants – part of the $800 million provided to SAMHSA under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to address the nation’s ongoing mental health and substance use crises. [Read full news release »]( [HHS Civil Rights Office Resolves HIPAA Right of Access Investigation with $20,000 Settlement]( December 15, 2022 Today, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a settlement with Health Specialists of Central Florida Inc., a provider in Florida that provides primary care, concerning a potential violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule's right of access provision [Read full news release »]( [READOUT: Assistant Secretary for Health Visits Colorado Springs to Meet with Club Q Survivors, LGBTQ+ Community Leaders, and Mental Health Providers]( December 15, 2022 ICYMI: On Saturday, December 10, Assistant Secretary for Health ADM Rachel Levine visited Colorado Springs, Colorado, in the wake of the tragedy at Club Q and spoke about the importance of mental health care in times of crisis. [Read full news release »]( [Letter to U.S. Governors from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on COVID-19 Resources]( December 15, 2022 Today, the HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra released the follwing letter to reiterate the federal government's ongoing commitment to support efforts and provide resources to reduce COVID-19 cases during the winter. [Read full news release »]( [HHS Proposes Rule to Strengthen Beneficiary Protections, Improve Access to Behavioral Health Care, and Promote Equity for Millions of Americans with Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D]( December 14, 2022 Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), proposed a rule to strengthen Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage for the tens of millions of people who rely on the programs for health care coverage. [Read full news release »]( [HHS Civil Rights Office Enters Settlement with Dental Practice Over Disclosures of Patients’ Protected Health Information]( December 14, 2022 Today, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announces a settlement with B. Brandon Au, DDS, Inc., d/b/a New Vision Dental (New Vision Dental), in California, over the impermissible disclosure of patient protected health information (PHI) in response to online reviews, and other potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule. [Read full news release »]( [On the Two-Year Anniversary of the First COVID-19 Vaccine, Secretary Becerra Celebrates Administration's Progress in Protecting and Saving Lives During Pandemic]( December 14, 2022 Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra released the following statement celebrating the second anniversary of the first COVID-19 vaccine. [Read full news release »]( [Readout: CMS Hosts Maternal Health Convening with Leaders Across Government, Industry]( December 13, 2022 Today, White House Domestic Policy Advisor Susan E. Rice, Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, and Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Carole Johnson joined other government and health care leaders to open We Can Do Better: Advancing Maternity Care Together – a CMS convening on maternal health and discussed key actions to improve the health of pregnant and postpartum individuals. [Read full news release »]( [HHS Releases Policies to Make Coverage More Accessible and Expand Behavioral Health Care Access for Millions of Americans in 2024]( December 12, 2022 Today, the Biden-Harris Administration released the 2024 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters Proposed Rule that aims to further advance the Administration's efforts to build on the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) efforts to provide and expand access to quality health care options for millions of consumers. [Read full news release »]( [See More News Releases]( [Bottle of pills]( Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment SAMHSA is proposing to expand access to treatment for Opiod Use Disorder and help close the gap in available care. [Learn more »]( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, DC 20201 Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775 Website: [HHS.gov]( Follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [YouTube]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( [View in browser]( [Forward this email]( [Unsubscribe or manage your email preferences](