HHS launches new federal office to coordinate Recovery Act spending

WASHINGTON Moving quickly to get ahead of a massive federal outlay spawned by the economic stimulus – and assure the orderly distribution of those funds – the Department of Health and Human Services announced the creation of the Office of Recovery Act Coordination.

The new office, HHS announced late Wednesday, “will help ensure the timely, organized and transparent distribution of an estimated $137 billion in Recovery Act Funds," and will be managed by the massive federal health department. It also could be seen as a bid to pre-empt any potential sniping from political opponents of the Obama Administration – or of the massive economic stimulus plan the White House proposed and signed into law.

“HHS is committed to moving quickly and carefully to distribute Recovery Act funds in an open and transparent manner,” said HHS spokeswoman Jenny Backus. “We have already worked to put more than $3 billion in Recovery Act funds into states, and the new Office of Recovery Act Coordination will enhance and streamline our efforts to get critical resources and potential new job opportunities to the American people during tough times.”

Dennis Williams, a 20-year agency veteran, will lead the new office and serve as HHS’ deputy assistant secretary for Recovery Act coordination.

As of March 11, HHS has distributed $3 billion in Recovery Act funds to support what the agency calls “a variety of policies and programs including Community Health Centers and Medicaid.”