The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), also known as The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), also known as the "U.S. Department of Health and Human Services" or "U.S. Department of Health", is the largest health agency of the U.S. federal government, and the official top management of the U.S. health care system, was signed by U.S. President Jimmy Carter in 1979 It was established by the Department of Education Organization Act (PL 96-88), signed by President Jimmy Carter on October 17, 1979. Its main responsibilities are to protect the health of the nation and to provide the most basic medical and health services to the nation.