Eric Hargan
Encyclopedia
United States Department of Health and Human Services
The United States Department of Health and Human Services is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America"...
, the chief operating officer of the largest civilian department in the federal government, with a budget of $640 billion and more than 67,000 employees. Working closely with Secretary Mike Leavitt, Hargan oversaw all operations, including Medicare, Medicaid, public health, medical research, the regulation of food and drugs, welfare, child and family services, disease prevention, Indian health, mental health services, and many other activities. He also served as the Regulatory Policy Officer for HHS, overseeing the development and approval of all HHS regulations and significant guidances. In addition, he led a number of initiatives at the Department, including implementing the President's Management Agenda, combating bio-terrorism and public health emergency preparedness. He represented Secretary Leavitt on the boards of the American Red Cross and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
From 2005 to 2007, Hargan served as Principal Associate Deputy Secretary of HHS, and from 2003 to 2005, he served the Department as Deputy General Counsel.
Prior to joining HHS, Hargan was a partner in the Chicago headquarters of the law firm of Winston & Strawn, where he specialized in corporate law, particularly mergers and acquisitions, securities, and venture capital transactions.
Hargan received his B.A. from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
and his J.D. from Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in...
, where he was a Senior Editor of the Columbia Law Review.
Hargan was born in 1968 and raised in Mounds, Illinois
Mounds, Illinois
Mounds is a city in Pulaski County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,117 in the 2000 census.-Geography:Mounds is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land....
. He now lives near Chicago, Illinois with his wife, Emily, and their two sons.