Health Information Management

HHS releases FY 2014-2018 strategic plan

HIM-HIPAA Insider, April 7, 2014

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by Jaclyn Fitzgerald, Editor
 
HHS recently released its fiscal year (FY) 2014–2018 strategic plan, which includes objectives, strategies, and goals related to the major functions of the agency. The strategic plan outlines four core goals, which include strengthening healthcare; advancing scientific knowledge and innovation; advancing the health, safety, and well-being of Americans; and ensuring efficiency, transparency, accountability, and effectiveness of HHS programs.
 
These goals are intended to be broad and are interrelated, according to HHS. The plan includes objectives and strategies for accomplishing each of the four goals.
 
The objectives associated with HHS’ goal to strengthen healthcare include:
  • Making coverage more affordable for insured individuals and extending more affordable coverage to those who are uninsured
  • Improving healthcare quality and patient safety
  • Emphasizing primary and preventative care as well as community prevention services
  • Reducing the growth of healthcare costs and promoting high-value, effective care
  • Ensuring access to quality, culturally competent care
  • Improving healthcare through meaningful use of health information technology
 
HHS strives to advance scientific knowledge and innovation as a means of responding to the need for quality healthcare in a time when Americans are living longer lives. The following objectives are associated with this goal:
Accelerating the process of scientific discovery to improve health
Fostering and applying innovative solutions to health, public health, and human services challenges
Advancing regulatory sciences to enhance food safety, improve medical product development, and support tobacco regulation
Better understanding what works in public health and human services practice
Improving laboratory, surveillance, and epidemiology capacity
 
Due to costly public health and social problems in the U.S., HHS will strive to advance the health, safety, and well-being of Americans. Objectives are associated with this goal include:
  • Promoting the safety, well-being, resilience, and healthy development of the youth
  • Promoting economic and social well-being for individuals, families, and communities
  • Improving accessibility and quality of supportive services for people with disabilities and older adults
  • Promoting prevention and wellness across the life span
  • Reducing the occurrence of infectious diseases
  • Protecting health and safety during emergencies, and fostering resilience to withstand and respond to emergencies
 
Since HHS manages a number of health-related programs, its strategic plan includes ensuring the efficiency, transparency, accountability, and effectiveness of its programs. HHS established the following objectives to meet this goal:
  • Strengthening program integrity and responsible stewardship by reducing improper payments, fighting fraud, and integrating financial, performance, and risk management
  • Enhancing access to and use of data to improve HHS programs and to support improvements in the health and well-being of Americans
  • Investing in its workforce to help meet America’s health and human services needs
  • Improving its environmental, energy, and economic performance to promote sustainability

 



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