Skip to main content


U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government
              Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowDot gov**Official websites use .gov**
                 A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
                  HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                 A **lock** (A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
  Menu Close
          Enter the terms you wish to search for.
    Search
        








  
  
    

  
      

                                      About HHS
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Programs & Services
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Grants & Contracts
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Laws & Regulations Breadcrumb
    Home
                              About
                              News
                              HHS Office for Civil Rights Works with Hospital to Improve Access to Kosher Electronic Devices Used for Virtual Patient Visitation
 Navigate to:
  News
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Blog
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      HHS Live
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Podcasts
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Media Guidelines for HHS EmployeesText resize icon

                    




**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 5, 2024**

        **Contact:
            HHS Press Office 
              202-690-6343media@hhs.gov**

          HHS Office for Civil Rights Works with Hospital to Improve Access to Kosher Electronic Devices Used for Virtual Patient Visitation
    
    

      *OCR worked with NewYork-Presbyterian to make virtual visitation accessible to Jewish patients*

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), finalized its work with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital to ensure virtual visitation is accessible to Jewish patients. OCR received complaints that Jewish patients and their loved ones were not accommodated with kosher electronic devices for virtual visits at NewYork-Presbyterian, a major New York healthcare system with hospitals in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Westchester. Federal law prohibits hospitals that participate in Medicaid and Medicare from restricting patient visitation in a manner that discriminates on the basis of religion. OCR reviewed NewYork- Presbyterian’s policies and practices and worked with the healthcare system while it updated its policies and procedures to ensure full compliance with federal law.

“OCR is committed to ensuring that Jewish patients and patients of all faiths have the same visitation privileges as any other hospital patient,” said OCR Director Melanie Fontes Rainer. “OCR appreciates the work NewYork-Presbyterian has done to ensure that its Jewish patients, in accordance with hospital safety and privacy policies, can participate as fully as possible in the Hospital’s visitation program.”

During OCR’s review, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital:

Updated policies and procedures on patients’ use of kosher electronic devices;
	Designated hospital personnel to work with patients seeking use of particular kosher devices to ensure that NewYork-Presbyterian does not prohibit the use of that device, should it meet the hospital’s privacy and safety requirements; and
	Purchased kosher tablets to make available to Jewish patients within NewYork-Presbyterian’s hospital network, which will provide patients whose religious beliefs prohibit them from using the non-kosher devices opportunities for virtual visitation.OCR will continue to be available for technical assistance to NewYork-Presbyterian.

OCR is committed to combatting antisemitism and enforcing religious non-discrimination rules applying to recipients of various forms of Federal Financial Assistance.

For more information on applicable federal law please view a fact sheet here: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/special-topics/shared-ancestry-or-ethnic-characteristics-discrimination/index.html and https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/faqs-patient-visitation/index.html.

If you believe that you or another person has been a victim of antisemitism or religious discrimination in an HHS-funded program or activity, you can file a complaint with OCR at https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints/index.html.
  

    ###
    Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at https://www.hhs.gov/news.Like HHS on Facebook, follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov, and sign up for HHS Email Updates.Last revised: March 5, 2024

  
  
  







  Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases

Sign Up







  Subscribe to RSS
    

      Receive latest updates







  Related News Releases
    

      CMS Proposes New Policies to Support Underserved Communities, Ease Drug Shortages, and Promote Patient Safety
  

Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Rule Expanding Access to Care and Increasing Protections for People with Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D
  

HHS Finalizes Policies to Make Marketplace Coverage More Accessible and Expand Essential Health Benefits

                    
  


Media Inquiries

For general media inquiries, please contact media@hhs.gov.







  Content created by Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Content last reviewed March 5, 2024 Back to top
    Contact HHS
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Careers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      HHS FAQs
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Nondiscrimination NoticeHHS Archive
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Accessibility Statement
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Privacy Policy
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Viewers & PlayersBudget/Performance
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Inspector General
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Web Site Disclaimers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      EEO/No Fear ActFOIA
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      The White House
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      USA.gov
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
        Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
  HHS Headquarters
          200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
                  Washington, D.C. 20201
                  Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​