| united states social security administration | The social security administration administers a national program of contributory social insurance whereby employees, employers, and the self-employed pay contributions that are pooled in special trust funds. When earnings are reduced because of retirement, death, or disability, monthly benefits are paid to partially replace lost earnings. Part of the contributions go into a separate hospital insurance trust fund for workers when they become 65 to provide help with medical expenses. Other programs include the supplemental social security income program for the aged, blind, and disabled and the old age survivors and disability insurance program. Ssa became an independent agency march 31, 1995. It had previously been part of the department of health, education, and welfare, later the department of health and human services. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| united states substance abuse and mental health services administration | An agency of the public health service concerned with the overall planning, promoting, and administering of programs pertaining to substance abuse and mental health. It is commonly referred to by the acronym samhsa. On 1 october 1992, the united states alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health administration (adamha) became samhsa. (telephone communication with samhsa 7 april 1992) (12 Dec 1998) |
| food and drug administration | The U.S. Agency responsible for regulation of biotechnology foodproducts. The major laws under which the agency has regulatory powersinclude the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic act, and the Public Health Service Act. (09 Oct 1997) |
| library administration | Planning, organizing, staffing, direction, and control of libraries. (12 Dec 1998) |