US President Obama's budget request includes $911 billion for HHS and $4 billion for FDA in FY2011

US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius highlighted critical investments in President Barack Obama's 2011 HHS budget that will protect the health and safety of America's families. Overall, the budget includes a total of $911 billion for the HHS in the next fiscal year.

'Under this budget, we will provide the health and human services that Americans depend on more effectively, slashing waste and focusing programs on results. And we'll make many of the necessary investments our country has been putting off for years, including investments in fighting health care fraud, strengthening our public health infrastructure, and getting serious about health and wellness,' said Ms Sebelius, noting: 'This budget is a big step toward a healthier, stronger America.'

The President's budget helps build the foundation for health insurance reform. The budget strengthens the health care system and improves access to care by investing $995 million to address the shortage of health care providers in underserved areas, increasing funding to expand services at Health Centers by $290 million and allocating nearly $80 million for work to spread the adoption and use of health information technology.