Secretary Becerra elevates the existing HHS office of preparedness and response to an operational division, providing additional tools to respond to current and future health emergencies.
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today that Secretary Xavier Becerra has elevated the existing Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) from a staff division to an operational division, assuming the the new name of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
The move elevates ASPR to an independent agency within the Department alongside other HHS agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS ), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), among others. This change will enable ASPR to more effectively and efficiently mobilize a coordinated national response during future disasters and emergencies in close collaboration with other agencies.
Although the change in name and organizational status is effective immediately, the transition will be phased in over the next year or two, and, once completed, will provide greater administrative capabilities for ASPR to help it carry out its work more effectively.
“Our mission at HHS is to improve the health and well-being of all Americans, and our country must be prepared to respond to health-related emergencies,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “ASPR’s reclassification helps strengthen our long-term preparedness posture by better positioning the departments to continue to coordinate health-related emergency response in collaboration with our diverse HHS teams.”
ASPR will continue to be led by Dawn O’Connell, who retains the title of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, and will continue to advise the Secretary on preparedness and response issues and coordinate response to health-related emergencies. on behalf of the Secretary as defined. in statute, in partnership with other HHS staff and operational divisions.
“Across the Department, we continue to seek opportunities to enhance our core capabilities while strengthening our ability to respond to future health threats,” said HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm. “This administrative change is in recognition of the increased size and scope of ASPR, which plays an important coordinating role in responding to health threats and emergencies.”
ASPR, established in 2006, has always had operational responsibilities, including the missions of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and the Medical Reserve Corps. However, in recent years, particularly during the multi-year response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ASPR’s operational functions have grown significantly to include the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) in 2018, a public health supply chain in 2020, and the establishment Include HHS coordination. Operations and Response Element (H-CORE) in early 2022.
ASPR’s reclassification as an operational division is in recognition of the growth in size and scope of ASPR’s mission over the years, particularly in light of the multi-year COVID-19 response.
