Open Government at HHS
An open government is one that leverages the principles of transparency, participation, and collaboration to deliver better results to the American people and which helps the public hold the government accountable.
- Learn more about the Open Government Directive
HHS Open Government Plan
Since the publication of our first open government plan, we advanced many important programmatic areas that underscore our commitment to the spirit of open government.
- Read Version 3.0 of Our Open Government Plan (PDF, 683 KB)
Previous Open Government Plans
- HHS Open Government Plan Version 2.0 (PDF, 817 KB)
- HHS Open Government Plan Version 1.1 (PDF, 1.22 MB)
Initiatives
The programs below bring our open government plan to life and allow us to harness the energy and expertise both inside and outside HHS to achieve our goals.
HHS IDEA Lab
The IDEA Lab was developed to establish new pathways and programs that equip the workforce with new workflow processes, new methods, and communication and analytic tools that will help accelerate the adoption of open government principles.
- Learn more about the HHS IDEA Lab
HealthData.gov
HHS provides open access to health information and health datasets generated or held by the U.S. government. This is a one-stop resource for the growing ecosystem of innovators who are turning our data into new applications, services, and insights that can help improve health.
- Explore HealthData.gov
Records & Reports
In our commitment to transparency, we are providing information and resources for you to see inside HHS.
HHS Strategic Plan
Every 4 years, HHS updates its strategic plan, which describes its work to address complex, multifaceted, and ever-evolving health and human service issues. Under the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act, Federal agencies are required to consult with the Congress and to solicit and consider the views of external parties.
- Read the Strategic Plan for FY 2014-2018
Public Access
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has directed all federal research agencies with more than $100 million in the annual conduct of research and development to develop plans for increasing access for increasing public access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and digital data resulting from federally funded research investments.
Learn more about our public access plans
Prevention and Public Health Fund
Congress has directed HHS to provide information on activities and programs supported with resources from the Prevention and Public Health Fund and the planned use of funds, funding opportunities, and the recipients of awards.
- Learn more about Prevention and Public Health Fund Activities
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
FOIA is a critical component of Open Government that encourages accountability through transparency. We are committed to improved compliance and reform of FOIA as we develop our Open Government plans.
- Learn more about FOIA
Records Management
Proper records management is the backbone of open Government. Title 44 U.S.C. 2901 defines records management as “the managerial activities involved with respect to records creation, records maintenance and use, and records disposition in order to achieve adequate and proper documentation of the policies and transactions of the Federal government and effective and economical management of agency operations."
- Lean more about Records Management at HHS
Regulatory Review
The Department invites suggestions of regulations to review. For example, you may want to suggest that the Department review a regulation because you think it is obsolete, unnecessary, burdensome, or counterproductive, or you may think the Department should modify a regulation to increase its effectiveness, efficiency, and flexibility.
- Learn how to Suggest a Regulation for Review
HHS Sustainability
HHS outlines its path towards sustainable operation and efficiency with specific reduction goals that would cut consumption and emissions, while increasing productivity and transparency.
- Learn more about Sustainability at HHS
Web Measurement and Customization Technologies
HHS discloses the use of web measurement and customization technologies to remember a user’s online interactions with a website or online application in order to conduct measurement and analysis of usage or to customize the user’s experience.
- Read the HHS.gov Privacy Policy
Plain Writing
Clear writing is essential to transparency, public participation, and collaboration. HHS is implementing plain writing programs and improving communication materials across the Department.
- Learn about Plain Writing at HHS
Language Access Plan
HHS is committed to providing meaningful access to HHS programs and activities for persons with limited English proficiency.
- Read the HHS Language Access Plan (PDF, 416 KB)
Research and Scientific Integrity
HHS has established policies and principles designed to assure the integrity of scientific and scholarly activities that the Department conducts and supports, and the science it uses to inform management and public policy decisions.
Preparation, Submission, and Execution of the Budget
HHS ensures the transparent preparation and execution of our budget by making the following resources available.
- Budget and Performance at HHS
- HHS Open Government Financial Data Quality Plan (PDF, 438 KB)
- HHS Inspector General Audits
- HHS Performance Improvement Summaries
- Performance.gov
Conference Spending Reports
These reports include information about conferences held by HHS where costs exceed $100,000.
- FY 2014 Conference Spending Summary
- FY 2013 Conference Spending Summary
- FY 2012 Conference Spending Summary (PDF, 125 KB)
- Conference Spending Details (PDF, 1.03 MB)
Presidential Actions, Executive Orders & Memos
HHS has compiled a listing of Presidential actions, executive orders, and memos related to Open Government for your reference.
Content last reviewed on February 13, 2015