Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) News

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) News

Welcome to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) podcast, your go-to resource for the latest insights and developments in public health, healthcare policies, and human services. Join us as we explore critical topics that impact the well-being of communities nationwide, featuring expert interviews, in-depth discussions, and updates on initiatives shaping the future of health services. Stay informed and engaged with HHS, where health and humanity meet. Tune in to empower your knowledge and contribute to a healthier society. For more info go to https://www.quietperiodplease.... Check out these deals https://amzn.to/48MZPjs https://podcasts.apple.com/us/...

Episodes

December 8, 2025 4 mins
You’re listening to the HHS Weekly Brief, where we break down what’s happening in federal health policy and why it matters to you.

The headline this week: the Department of Health and Human Services has rolled out a sweeping artificial intelligence strategy and tapped C3 AI as its enterprise AI platform, aiming to modernize everything from program integrity to data analytics. According to HHS, the new AI Strategy is designed to impr...
Mark as Played
This week, the Department of Health and Human Services announced a major extension of telemedicine flexibilities, keeping in place policies that allow prescription of controlled medications via telemedicine through the end of 2025. This move follows a flood of public input and two listening sessions, reflecting the department’s cautious approach in balancing access and regulation while it crafts a final rule. For millions of Americ...
Mark as Played
Good morning, and welcome to your weekly healthcare update. This week's biggest story centers on sweeping changes coming to how the Department of Health and Human Services manages its operations and grants. The administration announced a major restructuring aimed at what they're calling "Make America Healthy Again," with plans to save taxpayers 1.8 billion dollars annually while reorganizing federal agencies focused on serving low-...
Mark as Played
The most significant headline from the Department of Health and Human Services this week is the advancement of new initiatives to strengthen caregiver support and expand the caregiving workforce. At an event featuring caregiving experts and family advocates, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the launch of the Caregiver Artificial Intelligence Prize Competition, challenging innovators to develop AI tools that support fam...
Mark as Played
This week’s most significant headline out of the Department of Health and Human Services is a major shake-up in how federal health grants are managed. Starting October 1, HHS is rolling out sweeping changes to its Grants Policy Statement. The new rule lowers the threshold for budget changes—from 25% to just 10% of a grant’s total budget—before organizations need to get prior approval. According to the updated policy, even a series ...
Mark as Played
Listeners, the biggest headline from the Department of Health and Human Services this week is the reopening of the federal government after nearly a month-long shutdown. Congress reached a deal, and President Trump signed the legislation just days ago, restoring normal operations across HHS programs and ensuring vital benefits like food assistance and Medicaid are back on track for millions of Americans. This decision brings relief...
Mark as Played
Good morning. If you've been using SNAP benefits to put food on your table, this week brought some major relief after days of real uncertainty. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that full November SNAP payments are now loading onto EBT cards this Friday, November 14th. That's about 1.4 million North Carolinians finally getting their complete benefits after a partial suspension tied to the federal ...
Mark as Played
This week’s headline from the Department of Health and Human Services is a sweeping set of changes to how federal health grants are managed and awarded, a move set to impact thousands of organizations nationwide. As of October 1st, 2025, HHS has overhauled its Grants Policy Statement, lowering the threshold for budget changes that require prior approval from 25% down to just 10%. That means if a health center or medical research gr...
Mark as Played
The biggest headline out of the Department of Health and Human Services this week is the agency’s sweeping plan to restructure and shrink its operations—a move that’s already generating concern across the health sector. In a statement, HHS said the goal is to “improve Americans’ experience,” but organizations like the Medicare Rights Center warn these changes will risk access to critical services for millions, especially older adul...
Mark as Played
Kicking off our coverage today, the biggest headline from the Department of Health and Human Services is its sweeping reorganization announced this week. This shakeup includes merging five agencies into a new entity called the Administration for a Healthy America, a move designed to streamline services and save taxpayers an estimated $1.8 billion annually according to HHS. The reorg also signals a major shift for the Centers for Di...
Mark as Played
This week’s headline from the Department of Health and Human Services is the launch of a comprehensive Autism Action Plan, signaling a major federal push to address the rapidly increasing rates of autism spectrum disorder in the United States. According to Social Current, this multi-pronged initiative ties together new research funding, clinical guidance changes, and national campaigns designed to improve services and outcomes for ...
Mark as Played
Kicking off this week’s episode, the biggest headline out of the Department of Health and Human Services is the newly announced restructuring plan—a seismic shift poised to impact millions of Americans. Under the initiative, five agencies are being merged to create the Administration for a Healthy America, aiming to slash inefficiencies and save taxpayers an estimated $1.8 billion annually, according to official HHS statements. At ...
Mark as Played
This week’s biggest headline from the Department of Health and Human Services is its sweeping overhaul of federal grant policies, which just took effect on October 1st. The HHS Grants Policy Statement now requires prior agency approval for any grant budget changes expected to exceed 10% of the total budget, down from the previous 25%. For health centers and other HHS grantees, this means less flexibility to shift funds where needs ...
Mark as Played
This week, the Department of Health and Human Services made national headlines with its sweeping announcement on lowering prescription drug costs for millions of Americans. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra unveiled a new round of price negotiations as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, targeting ten of the most widely used medications for seniors. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, these drugs account for over...
Mark as Played
The big headline from the Department of Health and Human Services this week is the ongoing impact of the U.S. government shutdown, which started October 1. About 32,000 HHS employees are currently furloughed, pausing or slowing activities at key agencies like the FDA, CDC, CMS, and NIH. These shutdown effects are hitting everything from drug application processing to public health research, and even Medicare claims payments are tem...
Mark as Played
The biggest news at the Department of Health and Human Services this week is the sweeping impact of the federal government shutdown beginning October first. As a result, HHS has furloughed tens of thousands of workers and halted or delayed vital functions in agencies like the FDA, CDC, CMS, and NIH. That means drug approvals and public health responses are paused, research grants are delayed, and, for providers, Medicare claim paym...
Mark as Played
The biggest headline from the Department of Health and Human Services this week is the widespread impact of the federal government shutdown, which, as of October 1st, forced HHS to furlough more than 32,000 employees—over 40% of its workforce. Agencies like the CDC, NIH, and CMS have paused or slowed their activities, affecting everything from processing new drug applications and research grants to Medicare claims and telehealth re...
Mark as Played
This week, the Department of Health and Human Services unveiled a sweeping revision to its Grants Policy Statement, described by insiders as one of the department’s most significant administrative shake-ups in years. Effective October 1st, these changes will affect every HHS grant awarded moving forward, including a requirement that any cumulative budget change exceeding 10 percent of the total grant now demands prior agency approv...
Mark as Played
This week, the Department of Health and Human Services has drawn national attention for issuing a sweeping revision to its Grants Policy Statement, impacting thousands of organizations that rely on federal health funding each year. Effective October 1, the revamped policy shifts all HHS grant requirements fully under the Uniform Guidance, replacing decades-old rules. Among the most significant changes, HHS now requires prior approv...
Mark as Played
This week, the Department of Health and Human Services is making headlines with the release of its highly anticipated Make America Healthy Again, or MAHA, Strategy Report. Developed with the MAHA Commission, this comprehensive plan sets a bold direction for protecting America’s children by tackling nutrition shortfalls, environmental hazards, and the tricky territory of chemical exposures. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called thi...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

    My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.