U.S. Public Health Infrastructure and Safety Net Programs

Flashcards covering core functions of public health, federal and state public health infrastructure, HHS operating divisions, and U.S. health and social safety net entitlement programs.

10 Essential Public Health Services

Activities established in $1994$ by the Core Public Health Functions Steering Committee that all communities should undertake for health promotion and protection, centered around Equity and embedded in Assessment, Policy Development, and Assurance.

Core Functions of Public Health

The three overarching categories of public health activities—Assessment, Policy Development, and Assurance—in which the 10 Essential Public Health Services are embedded.

Population Health (AACN Competency)

Collaborative activities with both traditional and non-traditional partnerships designed to improve equitable population health outcomes.

Public Health Interest Holders

Individuals, organizations, or communities interested in conditions enabling or thwarting health promotion activities, including Academia, Industry Employers, Affected Community, Healthcare Systems, Government, and Media.

Executive Branch (Federal Public Health Infrastructure)

The federal branch responsible for interpreting, implementing, and enforcing health-related laws and court orders primarily via HHS and its $13$ operating divisions, setting Healthy People goals, and providing state funding.

Legislative Branch (Federal Public Health Infrastructure)

The federal branch that makes laws and conducts oversight of the Executive branch through key committees such as House Ways and Means, House Energy and Commerce, Appropriations, and Senate HELP.

Judiciary Branch (Federal Public Health Infrastructure)

The federal court system, including SCOTUS, that resolves public health disputes between governments, individuals, and private entities, establishing legal precedents for public health mandates.

US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

The primary federal executive department for health protection, overseeing $13$ operating divisions that handle public health, health research, regulations, and social welfare programs.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

An HHS operating division responsible for regulating food and drug safety.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

An HHS operating division focused on expanding healthcare access and building the health workforce.

Indian Health Service (IHS)

An HHS operating division providing healthcare services specifically for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

An HHS operating division dedicated to medical and health research.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

An HHS operating division dedicated to mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

An HHS operating division that conducts research on healthcare quality and clinical effectiveness.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

An HHS operating division responsible for national disease prevention, control, and health promotion.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

An HHS operating division administering major national healthcare coverage programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Administration for Children & Families (ACF)

An HHS operating division responsible for federal family assistance and child welfare programs.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)

An HHS operating division focused on mitigating public health risks posed by toxic environmental substances.

Administration for Community Living (ACL)

An HHS operating division supporting independent living and inclusion for older adults and people with disabilities.

Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR)

An HHS operating division responsible for leading public health emergency preparedness and response initiatives.

Health in All Policies (HiAP)

A policy-making approach that incorporates health considerations into non-health sectors—such as transportation walkability and school meal programs—to improve public health while advancing core sector goals.

Police Powers

The constitutional authority reserved to U.S. states to enact laws and regulations protecting and promoting public health, safety, morals, and general welfare.

Core Functions Framework Matrix

A breakdown showing how Assessment, Policy Development, and Assurance functions translate across federal, state, and local government levels.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

Safety-net health centers funded under Section $330$ of the Public Health Service Act that receive enhanced Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement and provide comprehensive primary care to all patients regardless of ability to pay.

Entitlement Program

A federal program requiring payments or benefits to any individual meeting legally established eligibility criteria upon submitting requisite documentation.

2025 Federal Poverty Thresholds

Official baseline income thresholds established by family size and number of children under $18\text{ years}$ used to measure official poverty status.

2025 Program Eligibility Thresholds

Calculated federal poverty guideline percentages used for safety-net qualifying thresholds: SNAP at $130$\% FPL, Medicaid at $133$\% FPL, and WIC at $185$\% FPL.

Medicaid

A joint federal-state health insurance program covering inpatient, outpatient, and long-term medical costs for low-income individuals earning $\le 133\%$ FPL, subject to recertification every $6\text{--}12\text{ months}$.

Medicare

A federal health insurance program for adults aged $65+$ or permanently disabled individuals, structured into Part A (hospital), Part B (outpatient), Part C (Medicare Advantage), and Part D (prescription drugs).

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

A federally funded, state-administered program offering monthly cash-value nutrition debit benefits to households with income $\le 130\%$ of the FPL.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

A federal and state funded program providing specific food items, nutritional education, and counseling to pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children under age $5$ earning $\le 185\%$ FPL.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

A federal cash assistance program providing basic monthly benefits (averaging $\$750$ for individuals and $\$1,125$ for couples) to aged, blind, and disabled people with minimal income or work history.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

A federal-state insurance program providing monthly benefits based on lifetime work credits to workers who worked at least $10\text{ years}$ and are disabled for $\ge 1\text{ year}$.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

A federal-state block grant program providing cash assistance to pregnant women or families with children earning $\sim 50\text{--}60\%$ FPL, subject to work requirements and a $5\text{-year}$ lifetime limit.

Housing Choice Vouchers / Section 8

HUD rental assistance programs for households earning $\le 30\text{--}50\%$ of Area Median Income, requiring tenants to pay approximately $30\%$ of their income toward rent while the program covers the rest.

Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)

A Maryland DHS program providing financial support for home heating costs to low-income households.

Child Care Scholarship Program (CCS)

A Maryland State Department of Education initiative providing subsidized child care payments for qualifying working or student parents.