The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) is the principal advisory group to the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on policy development and provides coordination and support for HHS's strategic and policy planning, planning and development of legislation, program evaluation, data gathering, policy-related research, and regulatory program.
ASPE refers both to the position, the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, and the office directed by that position. Since its authorization in 1965, ASPE has played an instrumental role as an internal strategy group, think tank, and incubator supporting the priorities and needs of the Secretary, and consequently, the Department as a whole.
As part of the announced 2025 HHS reorganization, the office is planned to be integrated into the new HHS Office of Strategy.
Mission The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) is the principal advisory group to the Secretary of the HHS on policy development and provides coordination and support for HHS's strategic and policy planning, planning and development of legislation, program evaluation, data gathering, policy-related research, and regulatory program.
ASPE advises the Secretary on policy issues associated with health, human services, disabilities, aging, long-term care, science policy, data resources, and other matters, such as economic policy. ASPE leads special initiatives on behalf of the Secretary; provides direction for, and coordinates, HHS policy research, evaluation and data gathering and related analyses; and manages cross-Department activities, such as strategic and legislation planning. Integral to this role, ASPE develops policy analyses—both short and long-term—and related initiatives, conducts policy research and evaluation studies, and reviews and estimates the costs and benefits of policies (including regulations) and programs under consideration by HHS, Congress and others. ASPE works with other HHS Assistant Secretaries and agency heads on these matters.
Activities
Primary activities Research and Evaluation – ASPE's policy research and evaluation program has a significant impact on the improvement of policies, programs and services of HHS, by systematically collecting information on program performance, assessing program effectiveness, improving performance measurement, performing environmental scans and assessments, and providing program management. Data Collection Coordination – ASPE leads the planning and coordination of data collection investments and statistical policy across HHS and co-chairs the HHS Data Council, which promotes communication and planning for data collection from an HHS-wide perspective, assures coordination and cost efficiencies in addressing interagency data needs, and serves as a forum to address priority interagency, Departmental, and national data needs in a coordinated fashion. Research Coordination – ASPE also has the lead role in ensuring that HHS’ investment in health and human services research supports the Secretary's Strategic Initiatives and Departmental priorities in the most efficient and effective manner.
Affordable Care Act-related activities ASPE undertakes a variety of policy development, research, analysis, evaluation and data development activities in support of ACA implementation including: Internal policy development, data development and technical assistance projects. Source of information and data to other parts of the Federal government and improve data to track changes as the ACA is implemented. Actuarial analysis and modeling to support the development of policy alternatives relating to ACA provisions regarding coverage, affordability, and market reforms. Review, study, and evaluation to identify effective prevention strategies and associated benefits, especially in the area of community-based and clinical preventive service integration. Development of data and analytic capability to support outreach and enrollment activities for Medicaid and Exchange coverage expansion. • Modeling and evaluation support for the CMS Innovation Center including post acute care payment activities. • Evaluation of the overall impact of Medicaid expansions on vulnerable populations and of specific new Medicaid options that enable states to serve individuals with multiple chronic conditions and needs for functional assistance.
Grants ASPE Grant Awards Table Description FY 2012 FY 2013 FY2014 Number of Awards 4 4 4 Average Award $750,000 $750,000 $750,000
ASPE maintains a grants program to support research and evaluation by academically based research centers of important and emerging social policy issues associated with income dynamics, poverty, transitions from welfare to work, child well-being, and special populations. Federal support for the poverty center program has been continuous since 1968. Beginning in FY 2012, ASPE reduced the number of grants from five to four while essentially maintaining total support for the research center program in an effort to ensure that each center received sufficient funding to carry out a robust research agenda.
ASPE's grants for academic research institutes range from $700,000 to $800,000 per year. The poverty center program conducts a broad range of research to describe and analyze national, regional and state environments (e.g., economics, demographics) and policies affecting the poor, particularly families with children who are poor or at-risk of being poor. It also focuses on expanding our understanding of the causes, consequences and effects of poverty in local geographic areas, especially in states or regional areas of high concentrations of poverty, and on improving our understanding of how family structure and function affect the health and well-being of children, adults, families and communities. All of the centers develop and mentor social science researchers whose work focuses on these issues.
Organization ASPE consists of several organizational components: the Immediate Office; Office of Health Policy; Office of Human Services Policy; Office of Disability, Aging and Long-Term Care Policy; and Office of Science and Data Policy.
Immediate office The ASPE Immediate Office (IO) provides executive direction, leadership, guidance and support to ASPE components. The IO develops and guides implementation of HHS's strategic plan, the development of HHS legislative and regulatory agenda in coordination with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation and the Office of the Executive Secretary, respectively, and the planning and coordination of policy-related research and evaluation across HHS. The IO manages planning and implementation of ASPE budgets, evaluation and policy research agendas, workforce plans, executive correspondence, regulation review, and internal control procedures. The IO also provides information support services for ASPE and access by the public to information about ASPE and HHS evaluation and policy research studies.
The HHS Research Coordination Council, chaired by the ASPE, accomplishes research and evaluation planning and coordination for HHS. The Council is a planning and coordinating body of representatives from HHS operating divisions and other offices conducting research, with support within ASPE by a staff group drawn from ASPE offices.
Disability, aging and long-term care policy
Overview The Office of Disability, Aging and Long-Term Care Policy (DALTCP) is responsible for the development, coordination, research and evaluation of HHS policies and programs that support the independence, productivity, health and well-being of children, working age adults, and older persons with disabilities. The office is also responsible for policy coordination and research to promote the economic and social well-being of older Americans. DALTCP coordinates its work with aging and disability-related agencies and programs throughout the government, including the Departments of Justice, Labor, Education, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, the Social Security Administration and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Disability and aging The Division of Disability and Aging Policy' is responsible for policy development, coordination, research and evaluation of policies and programs focusing on persons with disabilities and older Americans (Older Americans Act). Activities related to the Older Americans Act are carried out in coordination with the Administration on Community Living. This includes measuring and evaluating the impact of programs authorized by the Older Americans Act. The Division is also responsible for supporting the development and coordination of crosscutting disability and aging data and policies within the Department and other federal agencies. Areas of focus include assessing the interaction between the health, disability, and economic well-being of persons of all ages with disabilities including the prevalence of disability and disabling conditions; describing the socio-demographic characteristics of relevant populations; determining service use, income, employment, and program participation patterns; and coordinating the development of disability and aging data and policies that affect the characteristics, circumstances and needs of older Americans and disabled populations. The Division's responsibilities include long-range planning, budget and economic analysis, program analysis, review of regulations and reports on legislation, review and conduct of research and evaluation activities, and information dissemination.
Long-term care The Division of Long-Term Care Policy is responsible for coordination, development, research and evaluation of HHS policies and programs that address the long-term care and personal assistance needs of people of all ages with functional impairments and disabilities. The Division is the focal point for policy development and analysis related to the long-term care services components of the Affordable Care Act as well as Medicare, Medicaid, and including nursing facility services, community residential services, personal assistance services, home health and rehabilitation services, and the integration of acute, post-acute and long-term care services. The Division's responsibilities include long-range planning, budget and economic analysis, program analysis, review of regulations and reports on legislation, review and conduct of research and evaluation activities, and information dissemination.
Behavioral health and intellectual disabilities The Division of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities Policy is responsible for analysis, coordination, research and evaluation of policies related to individuals with severe intellectual disabilities, severe addictions and/or severe and persistent mental illness. The Division's responsibilities include long-range planning, budget and economic analysis, data development and analysis, program analysis, review of regulations and reports on legislation, review and conduct of research and evaluation activities, and information dissemination. The Division is the focal point for policy development and analysis related to financing, access/delivery, organization and quality of intellectual disabilities and serious and persistent mental illnesses services, including those financed by Medicaid, Medicare, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Administration on Developmental Disabilities and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The Division works closely with other offices in ASPE because the two vulnerable populations that are its focus are users of both human services and health services.
Health policy
Overview