Iowa introduces new Health and Human Services agency, but merger is still far from over

There's a new state department in Iowa — the massive Department of Health and Human Services.

On Tuesday, the state unveiled its creation, the result of a merger between the Iowa Departments of Public Health and Human Services.

Here's more about the newly merged agency:

Why did the Iowa Departments of Public Health and Human Services merge?

Human Services Director Kelly Garcia told the Des Moines Register earlier this year many of the agencies' services overlap, but would be more effective if they were more closely knit together.

For example, the public health department looks to improve the health of all Iowans, while the human services department oversees Medicaid, which finances health care for nearly a quarter of the state's population.

"Team members and partners shaped the direction for these new key elements of our agency by providing diligent, compelling feedback and input," Garcia said in a statement. "That has been true for all of our alignment work, and this launch is no exception. We are laser focused on sustaining, growing and building trust with Iowans, our stakeholders and our team – our new mission, vision and brand speak to that promise."

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The two departments have shared a leader since 2020. Garcia became interim director of the health department after the agency's former director retired.

Has this been in the works for long?

"On June 14, 2022, House File 2578 was signed by Iowa Governor Reynolds, creating a Department of Health and Human Services and providing a one-year transition period for IDPH and DHS to merge current functions into the new department," the new department's website said.

It has been in the works longer than that. Officials said in Tuesday's announcement that the unveiling comes after two years of staff and stakeholder town halls and work sessions to determine the direction of the new agency.

But even with this week's announcement, the alignment effort will be underway for some time.

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Changes within staff expected, but no layoffs

State officials released an organizational chart of proposed HHS divisions and its operations last month. According to an update sent to all staff of the new agency last week, new staff-level organization charts will be sent to employees in the coming weeks.

There were no planned layoffs or closure of existing programs and services, according to the new HHS website.

The Department of Human Services has been the state's largest agency. Here's what it does.

The Department of Human Services is the state's biggest agency, with an annual budget of nearly $10 billion. It's authorized to have more than 4,200 full-time employees.

In addition to managing the state's Medicaid program, the agency manages child protective services, state institutions for individuals with disabilities and mental illness as well as assistance programs, such as SNAP or child care subsidies.

The Department of Public Health is smaller, but managed Iowa's response to the COVID-19 pandemic

The Department of Public Health, which is authorized to employ more than 500 full-time staff, has an annual budget of roughly $800 million.

The public health department has led the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic, supporting county public health agencies in distributing COVID-19 vaccines and in other capacities. It also collects and disseminates reportable health data, monitors for disease outbreaks and oversees the state's medical marijuana program.

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What's next?

State officials are working with Shive-Hattery, an Iowa-based architecture and engineering firm, to bring teams into the same building. Currently, the two agencies are headquartered in separate office buildings.

Officials are still drafting a transition plan, they said last week. The new agency will also need final approval from the Iowa Legislature.

Michaela Ramm covers health care for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at mramm@registermedia.com, at (319) 339-7354 or on Twitter at @Michaela_Ramm.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa unveils new Health and Human Services department