Subnational entities, such as states, counties and cities, often also operate a health department of their own.
The majority of its functions have now been integrated into a new agency called the National Health Commission.
HHS offers a variety of social service programs geared toward persons with low income, disabilities, military families, and senior citizens.
[7] Healthcare rights are defined under HHS in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) which protect patient's privacy in regards to medical information.
The health department at state level needs to safeguard good relations with legislators as well as governors in order to acquire legal and financial aid to guarantee the development and enhancements of the programs.
Assemblies are set up to guide the relationships between state and local health departments.
[citation needed] The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) acts as the most extensive grant funding agency in the country.
[21] HHS and the National Institutes of Health, are accountable to Congress for conducting research that is amenable to both federal and state regulatory policies and a cost-effective budget.
Additionally, HHS routinely sets fixed price and cost reimbursement contracts with private companies in order to obtain products and services for government operations.
[36] Similarly, in Los Angeles County, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services[37] and the Pasadena Public Health Department[38] serve the cities of Long Beach and Pasadena, respectively.