United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
Flag of the secretary
Seal of the department
Incumbent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. since February 14, 2025
United States Department of Health and Human Services
Style	Mr. Secretary (informal) The Honorable (formal)
Member of	The United States Cabinet
Reports to	President of the United States
Seat	Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Washington, D.C.
Appointer	President of the United States with Senate advice and consent
Term length	At the President's Pleasure
Constituting instrument	Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1953 67 Stat. 631 42 U.S.C. § 3501
Formation	April 11, 1953; 72 years ago (1953-04-11)
First holder	Oveta Culp Hobby
Succession	Twelfth
Deputy	United States Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services
Salary	Executive Schedule, Level I

The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services is a very important person in the U.S. government. They lead the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This person is the main helper and advisor to the President of the United States on all things related to health. They are also a member of the United States Cabinet, which is a group of the President's top advisors.

This job used to be called the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. But in 1980, the department changed its name to the Department of Health and Human Services. The parts that dealt with education moved to a new department, the United States Department of Education. Patricia Roberts Harris was the secretary when this change happened.

To become the Secretary, a person is chosen by the President. Then, the United States Senate must agree to the choice. This involves special committees in the Senate looking into the person's background. As of January 2024, the Secretary earns about US$246,400 per year.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to become the Secretary of Health and Human Services on February 14, 2025. He was confirmed by the Senate on February 13, 2025.

What Does the Secretary Do?
Who Has Been Secretary?
Who Takes Over If Needed?
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See also

What Does the Secretary Do?

The flag of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, the old name for the current office.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services focuses on the well-being of people in the United States. They advise the President on important topics like health, social programs, and financial support for families.

Their main job is to make sure the Department of Health and Human Services runs smoothly. They work to carry out programs that help people and make sure the public knows what the department is doing.

The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) was split into two new departments. One became the United States Department of Education. The other became the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

HHS oversees many important agencies that help Americans every day. These include:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): This agency makes sure our food, medicines, and medical devices are safe.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC works to protect public health. They track diseases and help prevent them from spreading.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH): The NIH is a big medical research center. They work to find new ways to treat and prevent diseases.
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF): This agency helps children, families, and communities. They support programs like Head Start.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): CMS runs Medicare and Medicaid. These programs help millions of Americans with their healthcare costs.

Who Has Been Secretary?

The first person to hold this important job was Oveta Culp Hobby. She became Secretary on April 11, 1953. As mentioned, Patricia Roberts Harris was the Secretary when the department's name changed in 1980. She led the department both before and after it became the Department of Health and Human Services.

Many different people have served as Secretary over the years. They come from different political parties, like the Democrats and Republicans. Sometimes, someone might be an Independent.

Who Takes Over If Needed?

If the Secretary of Health and Human Services cannot do their job, there is a special order of people who can take over. This is called the line of succession. It ensures that the department always has a leader.

Here are some of the people in the line of succession: