Which regulatory agency is primarily responsible for overseeing healthcare programs in the United States?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is the primary regulatory agency responsible for overseeing healthcare programs in the United States. CMS administers the nation's major healthcare programs, including Medicare, which provides health coverage for individuals aged 65 and older and some younger individuals with disabilities, and Medicaid, which offers coverage for low-income individuals and families.

This agency plays a crucial role in ensuring that these programs operate efficiently and effectively, setting standards for the delivery of healthcare services, establishing payment systems, and overseeing compliance with federal laws and regulations. CMS also works with state governments to manage Medicaid programs and continually develops guidelines to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes.

Other agencies mentioned, such as the FDA, CDC, and NIH, have important roles in public health and research but do not primarily oversee healthcare programs like CMS does. The FDA is focused on the safety and efficacy of food and drugs, the CDC is dedicated to public health protection and disease prevention, and the NIH conducts medical research. Each has a different mission that complements the work of CMS but does not directly involve the administration of healthcare programs.