Tag Archives: HHS

Maximizing Impact: How HHS Allocated $22B in Grants for Migrants, Supporting Mobility, Housing, and Entrepreneurship



“Unlocking Opportunities: How HHS Invested $22B in Grants for Migrants, from Cash for Cars to Home Loans and Startups”

Are you curious about how the Department of Health and Human Services is supporting migrants with grants totaling $22 billion? From providing cash for cars to offering home loans and funding for startups, HHS is opening doors for individuals seeking a fresh start in a new country. Learn more about the diverse opportunities available and how these grants are making a positive impact on migrant communities. #HHS #grants #migrants #opportunities



The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has come under scrutiny for spending $22 billion on grants for migrants, which includes funding for items such as cars, home loans, and startups. This controversial spending has raised questions about how taxpayer money is being used to support migrants coming into the country. Join the discussion about the implications of these grants and whether they are an appropriate use of government funds. #HHS #migrants #governmentfunding

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  1. HHS grants for migrants
  2. Government spending on migrant grants
  3. Cash for cars for migrants
  4. Home loans for migrants
  5. HHS funding for migrant startups
  6. Migrant grant allocations by HHS
  7. Impact of HHS grants on migrant communities
  8. HHS financial support for migrants
  9. Migrant assistance programs by HHS
  10. How HHS is supporting migrants through grants

#HHS #spent #22B #grants #migrants #including #cash #cars #home #loans #startups

RFK Jr.’s financial disclosures reveal millions in both debt and income as he awaits HHS confirmation


As Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary nominee, awaits his confirmation hearing, financial disclosures released Wednesday show that he is saddled with millions in debt, but is positioned to earn millions from book deals.

In financial disclosure forms filed with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, Kennedy reported debts of $610,000 to $1.2 million on his American Express card, up to three mortgages totaling somewhere from $2.25 million to $10.5 million, along with other loans, one of which was as much as $500,000. 

Even so, he reported netting more than $11 million over the past two years, and is expected to take in $2 million to $4 million more in book advances for two books with Skyhorse Publishing in New York: “Unsettled Science” and “A Defense for Israel.”

Nearly $9 million of Kennedy’s recent income came from his law firm, Kennedy and Madonna, LLP, now called Madonna and Madonna, LLP. In a letter dated Jan. 21, Kennedy wrote to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics that, if confirmed as HHS Secretary, he would sever ties with the firm and some other income sources to avoid conflicts of interest. His final payment from the firm was in May 2024, he said.

The disclosures also make clear Kennedy still intends to receive legal fees from Wisner Baum, a firm suing the maker of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil over its alleged failure to warn consumers about its risks.

“Upon confirmation, I will retain an interest in contingency fee cases that do not involve claims against the United States and in which the United States is not a party and does not have a direct and substantial interest,” Kennedy wrote in his disclosure.  

His financial disclosure shows he earned $856,559 in referral fees from Wisner.

Kennedy also drew $326,056 in salary and benefits from Children’s Health Defense, a nonprofit that has filed lawsuits against federal agencies — including some he would oversee as secretary — over vaccine approvals such as COVID-19 shots for children.

In December, Kennedy said he resigned as chairman and chief legal counsel for CHD after being nominated to head HHS.

“We are grateful for Bobby’s past contributions and commitment to Children’s Health Defense and to the millions of children harmed by toxic exposures,” said Mary Holland, CEO of CHD, at the time.

“Bobby provided the impetus behind so many of CHD’s big accomplishments. While we will miss his leadership, we are proud that he has been nominated to lead HHS. We look forward to all that we know he will work to accomplish as he moves into this powerful government position.”

Kennedy also listed income from a mix of stocks, endorsements, speaking fees and residuals connected to his wife, Cheryl Hines, best known for her work on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

Hines also receives residuals from shows and movies “Friends,” “Herbie,” “Waitress,” “The Conners,” “The Flight Attendant” and “A Bad Moms Christmas.” She received a $600,000 advance to pen her memoir, “My Shade of Crazy.”

Kennedy’s Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 29. 



Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nominee for Assistant Secretary for Health and Human Services, has made public his financial disclosures, revealing millions in both debt and income as he awaits confirmation from the Senate.

According to the documents, RFK Jr. reported debts ranging from $15 million to $55 million, including mortgages on multiple properties, credit card debt, and loans. However, he also reported income of between $5 million and $25 million, largely stemming from his work as a lawyer and environmental activist.

Despite his substantial debts, RFK Jr. has assured the Senate that he is able to manage his financial obligations and that they will not influence his decision-making in his role at HHS. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the potential conflicts of interest that could arise from his financial situation.

As RFK Jr. navigates the confirmation process, his financial disclosures are sure to be a topic of scrutiny. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

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  1. RFK Jr.
  2. financial disclosures
  3. debt
  4. income
  5. HHS confirmation
  6. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
  7. financial status
  8. government appointment
  9. political figures
  10. public service

#RFK #Jr.s #financial #disclosures #reveal #millions #debt #income #awaits #HHS #confirmation

Moderna awarded $590M to help accelerate development of mRNA-based bird flu vaccine: HHS


Moderna has been awarded approximately $590 million from the federal government to help speed up the development of an mRNA-based bird flu vaccine, alongside other influenza vaccines, health officials announced Friday.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said in a press release that the funding will allow the pharmaceutical company to accelerate the development of an H5N1 mRNA influenza vaccine “that is well matched to strains currently circulating in cows and birds and expands the clinical data supporting the use of mRNA vaccines that may be needed if other influenza strains emerge with pandemic potential.”

Moderna said the funding will support the expansion of clinical studies “for up to five additional subtypes of pandemic influenza.”

The U.S. government previously awarded the vaccine manufacturer $176 million in July 2024 to help expedite the development of an mRNA vaccine that could be used for bird flu.

mRNA technology is the same type that was used in the development of some COVID-19 vaccines. While some vaccines use a weakened or inactive virus to stimulate an immune response, mRNA vaccines teach the body how to make proteins that can trigger an immune response and fight off an infection.

Researchers can often design mRNA vaccines more quickly than they can produce the live or weakened pathogens needed for a live-attenuated or inactivated vaccine.

Avian influenza or bird flu.

Cavallini James/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The federal government already has two bird flu vaccine candidates, which use traditional vaccine technology, available in the nation’s stockpile. Officials previously noted they’d have 10 million ready-to-use doses within the beginning of 2025. Vaccines were being stockpiled as a precaution.

“Avian flu variants have proven to be particularly unpredictable and dangerous to humans in the past. That is why this response has been a top priority for the Biden-Harris Administration and HHS,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement on Friday. “Accelerating the development of new vaccines will allow us to stay ahead and ensure that Americans have the tools they need to stay safe.”

Bird flu cases in humans have been spreading across the country since April 2024 with 67 confirmed cases as of Friday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The first death of a human bird flu patient was reported in Louisiana earlier this month. The patient was over the age of 65 and had underlying medical conditions, according to health officials.

Most human cases have occurred after coming into contact with infected cattle, infected poultry farms or other culling operations.

The CDC and other public health officials say there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission and the risk to the general public is low.

ABC News’ Mary Kekatos contributed to this report.



Moderna, a leading biotechnology company, has been awarded a significant grant of $590 million by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help accelerate the development of an mRNA-based bird flu vaccine. This funding comes as part of the government’s efforts to prepare for potential future pandemics and enhance our ability to respond to emerging infectious diseases.

The use of mRNA technology in vaccines has shown great promise in recent years, particularly with the successful development of COVID-19 vaccines. Moderna, which was one of the first companies to receive emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine, is now leveraging its expertise in mRNA technology to tackle other infectious diseases, such as bird flu.

The grant from HHS will enable Moderna to expedite the research and development process for a bird flu vaccine, potentially bringing it to market more quickly than traditional vaccine development methods. This is crucial in the face of the ongoing threat of avian influenza and the need to protect against potential future outbreaks.

By investing in cutting-edge technologies and supporting innovative approaches to vaccine development, the government is taking proactive steps to strengthen our public health infrastructure and better prepare for future health crises. The collaboration between Moderna and HHS represents a significant milestone in the fight against infectious diseases and demonstrates the importance of investing in research and development to safeguard public health.

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  1. Moderna
  2. mRNA-based vaccine
  3. bird flu
  4. HHS
  5. $590M funding
  6. vaccine development
  7. public health
  8. infectious diseases
  9. government funding
  10. pandemic preparedness

#Moderna #awarded #590M #accelerate #development #mRNAbased #bird #flu #vaccine #HHS

HHS invests nearly $600 million in Moderna’s bird flu vaccine development




CNN
 — 

The US Department of Health and Human Services will award $590 million to Moderna to continue developing a vaccine to protect against bird flu, the pharmaceutical company announced Friday.

In 2023, Moderna initiated a study on a “pandemic influenza vaccine” to protect against H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses. In July, the company received $176 million from HHS toward its vaccine efforts. Moderna plans to advance research on the mRNA vaccine into a phase 3 trial after receiving positive results in earlier phases, which it plans to present at a scientific conference in the near future.

“Avian flu variants have proven to be particularly unpredictable and dangerous to humans in the past. That is why this response has been a top priority for the Biden-Harris Administration and HHS,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement Friday. “Accelerating the development of new vaccines will allow us to stay ahead and ensure that Americans have the tools they need to stay safe.”

Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a broad term that refers to several types of influenza that normally infect birds. The H5N1 virus has raised concern among health officials because it has sickened dozens of people in the United States over the past several months; the first human death from a severe case of the virus was reported in Louisiana this month.

“The project will provide additional support for late-stage development and licensure of pre-pandemic mRNA-based vaccines. The agreement will also support the expansion of clinical studies for up to five additional subtypes of pandemic influenza,” Moderna said in a statement Friday.

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The US does have vaccines against H5 viruses in its Strategic National Stockpile, but they are made with older technology.

Separately, the Biden administration announced this month that it would invest more than $300 million to help monitor bird flu and prepare for potential spread. That money would be put toward programs focused on hospital preparedness, increased testing and surveillance, and awareness around emerging pathogens.

Most of the recent H5N1 transmission has been among animals, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still considers the risk from bird flu to the general public to be low, with no evidence of human-to-human spread. But the Biden administration has emphasized the importance of continued collaboration among stakeholders to “protect human health, animal health, and food safety.”

CNN’s Meg Tirrell contributed to this report.



The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a significant investment of nearly $600 million in Moderna’s development of a bird flu vaccine. This funding will support the research and clinical trials necessary to bring this potentially life-saving vaccine to market.

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a highly contagious virus that primarily affects birds but can also infect humans. In the event of a bird flu outbreak, a vaccine would be crucial in preventing the spread of the virus and protecting public health.

Moderna, a pharmaceutical company known for its innovative mRNA technology, has been at the forefront of vaccine development, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. With this substantial investment from HHS, Moderna will be able to accelerate its efforts to create a safe and effective bird flu vaccine.

This investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to preparedness for potential health threats and highlights the importance of continued research and development in the field of vaccines. With Moderna’s expertise and resources, there is hope that a bird flu vaccine will soon be available to protect individuals from this deadly virus.

Tags:

  1. HHS
  2. Moderna
  3. Bird flu vaccine
  4. Vaccine development
  5. Health and Human Services
  6. Public health
  7. Government investment
  8. Preventative medicine
  9. Influenza
  10. Pandemic preparedness

#HHS #invests #million #Modernas #bird #flu #vaccine #development