HHS News: Recent Developments and Implications for Public Health

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a memo pausing public communications and document issuance. HHS has also suspended work-related travel and certain committees. Executive orders focus on DEI, birthright citizenship, and immigration policies, affecting various federal agencies and public health initiatives.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recently issued a memo that significantly impacts its operations. On January 21, HHS instructed staff to pause all public communications and the issuance of documents. Additionally, HHS has suspended all work-related travel and certain committees that are subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). This includes study sections and advisory councils at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
These actions are part of broader executive orders issued by the administration. One order aims to “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” which includes directives to the Attorney General and the Education Department to enforce federal civil rights laws and address discrimination in institutions receiving federal student aid. Another order seeks to “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing,” which could have significant implications for diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in various sectors.
Furthermore, an executive order on “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to review contracts and agreements related to non-governmental organizations supporting or providing services to removable or illegal aliens. This directive has led to a change in how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) handles sensitive locations, including college campuses.
These developments reflect a broader shift in federal policies and their impact on public health initiatives and administrative operations.


Q: What is the latest news from HHS regarding public communications?
A: HHS has issued a memo pausing all public communications and the issuance of documents.

Q: What actions has HHS taken regarding work-related travel?

A: HHS has suspended all work-related travel.

Q: Which committees have been affected by the HHS actions?

A: Committees subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), including NIH study sections and advisory councils.

Q: What are the implications of the executive orders on DEI policies?

A: The orders aim to enforce federal civil rights laws and address discrimination in institutions receiving federal student aid, potentially altering diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

Q: How has the executive order on immigration enforcement affected ICE policies?

A: The order requires a review of contracts and agreements related to non-governmental organizations supporting or providing services to removable or illegal aliens, leading to a change in how ICE handles sensitive locations.


The recent actions by HHS reflect a significant shift in federal policies and operations. The pause on public communications and the suspension of work-related travel indicate a period of internal review and adjustment. The executive orders on DEI and immigration enforcement will likely have far-reaching implications for various sectors, including public health initiatives and administrative operations.


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