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HHS News Release:
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced his vision for helping America's homeless through improving their access to health insurance and health services and by encouraging continued collaboration among other committed federal agencies.
"I am excited to assume the role of chairman of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, and look forward to working with other agencies to prevent homelessness," Secretary Leavitt said.
"HHS, the council and our federal partners recognize this valuable opportunity to help thousands of individuals, families, and children who experience homelessness in our country each day."
HHS' Departmental Strategic Action Plan on Homelessness details HHS strategies toward preventing homelessness by ensuring the provision of services to eligible individuals and families, empowering states and community partners to improve their response to homelessness, and tracking Departmental progress in reaching these goals.
The council and its 20-member federal agencies focus on factors impacting persons experiencing homelessness, such as substance abuse and mental health, housing, employment, education, and access to health care.
To increase access to health services, HHS has developed pathways that individuals and families experiencing homeless can use to access essential health services, such as Medicare and Medicaid, Community Health Centers and through the new Affordable Choices Health Insurance Initiative.
Posted on March 15, 2007 10:36 PM
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