Public Health Preparedness: Exploring HHS Interagency Agreements
| Report Type |
Reports and Testimonies |
| Report Date |
Dec. 20, 2024 |
| Release Date |
Dec. 20, 2024 |
| Report No. |
GAO-25-107633 |
Summary:
What GAO Found
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for leading the federal public health and medical response to public health emergencies and other incidents. HHS relies on national guidance—such as the National Response Framework—and some interagency agreements to coordinate the response to public health emergencies, according to HHS officials. The National Response Framework provides a structure for coordinating federal support during a national response.
According to HHS officials, the department has not used its statutory authority to establish an agreement under which HHS assumes operational control of other agencies' emergency public health and medical response assets. It also has not used its statutory authority to coordinate with federal departments and agencies primarily because, according to HHS officials, the national guidance is sufficient to coordinate a response.
Why GAO Did This Study
In recent years, GAO and others have expressed concerns about HHS's leadership and coordination of public health emergencies. GAO added this area to our High-Risk List in 2022, citing the critical need for the nation to be prepared for, and effectively respond to, future public health threats and emergencies. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, includes a provision for GAO to report on HHS's interagency agreements and efforts to coordinate with other relevant federal agencies.
For more information, contact Mary Denigan-Macauley at (202) 512-7114 or DeniganMacauleyM@gao.gov.
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