Government Agencies

State and federal agencies that focus on health care policy, implement public health programs, provide regulatory oversight, or collect official government data

Agency For Health Care Research and Quality
The agency supports research designed to improve the outcomes and quality of health care, reduce its costs, address patient safety and medical errors, and broaden access to effective services. The research sponsored, conducted, and disseminated by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) provides information that helps people make better decisions about health care.

California Department of Insurance
The Department of Insurance (DOI) licenses and regulates the rates and practices of insurance companies, agents, and brokers in California, including all private health insuracne plans and policies.

California Department of Managed Health Care
The Department of Managed Health Care ( DMHC) licenses and regulates all managed health care plans (HMOs) operating in California. Californians are fortunate to have the strongest patients' rights laws in the nation. The DMHC ensures these laws are followed and that all health plan members get the right care at the right time.

California Department of Public Health
The California Department of Public Health is dedicated to optimizing the health and well-being of the people in California.

California FamilyPACT
Family PACT is California Department of Public Health's innovative approach to provide comprehensive family planning services to eligible low-income men and women. This clinical program increases access to services by expanding the provider network to include medical providers, pharmacies, and laboratories.

California Healthy Families Program
Healthy Families is low-cost insurance for children and teens. It provides health, dental, and vision coverage to children who do not have insurance and do not qualify for free Medi-Cal.

California Office of the Patient Advocate
The Office of the Patient Advocate (OPA) is an independent state office established in July 2000 in conjunction with the Department of Managed Health Care. The OPA was created to represent the interests of health plan members to get the care they deserve and to promote transparency and quality health care by publishing an annual Quality of Care Report Card.

California Rural Health Policy Council
The mission of the California Rural Health Policy Council is to formulate and establish rural health policy for the State of California, to provide a focal point for discussion of rural health policy issues within the California Health and Human Services Agency, to receive suggestions and recommendations from rural health constituencies, and to improve services provided to rural health providers. The Council promotes and supports collaboration, communication, and networking among State agencies, rural constituency organizations and rural providers.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people - at home and abroad - providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships. CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is the Health and Human Services agency responsible for administering the Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance), and several other health-related programs.

First 5 - California
In 1998 California passed Proposition 10 adding a 50-cent tax to each pack of cigarettes sold in the state to create First 5 California, also known as the California Children and Families Commission. First 5 California is dedicated to improving the lives of California's young children and their families through a comprehensive system of education, health services, childcare, and other crucial programs. Since its creation nearly a decade ago, First 5 California has brought these critical services to millions of parents, caregivers and children ages 0 to 5.

Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP)
The Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP) provides health insurance for Californians unable to obtain coverage in the individual health insurance market because of their pre-existing conditions.

National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics.

U.S. Census Bureau
The Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.

World Health Organization
The World Health Organiztion (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.