-  News Releases & Bulletins      -  Civil Rights News Archive 
  -  Office for Civil Rights Speaker Request 

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# Civil Rights News Releases & Bulletins

**HHS OCR Works with Hospital to Improve Access to Kosher Electronic Devices Used for Virtual Patient Visitation - March 5, 2024**
                          - Read the Press Release

**OCR Issues Guidance to the Nation’s Hospital and Long-Term Care Facility Administrators Clarifying Their Obligations to Ensure Religious Non-Discrimination in Patient Visitation -January 25, 2024**
                          - Read the Press Release                              - Leer en español

**Breaking Language Barriers: Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Plan to Address Language Barriers and Strengthen Language Access – November 15, 2023**
                          - Read the Updated Language Access Plan
                          - Read the Press Release  (in the following languages)	                             - Lea el comunicado de prensa en español
                            - 阅读中文新闻稿  (Chinese - Simplified)
                            - 閱讀中文新聞稿  (Chinese - Traditional)
                            - 보도자료를 한국어로 읽어보세요
                            - Basahin ang pahayag sa Tagalog
                            - Đọc thông cáo báo chí bằng tiếng Việt

**HHS Office for Civil Rights Settles with Massachusetts Skilled Nursing Facility Regarding Disability Discrimination - November 13, 2023**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS Issues New Proposed Rule to Strengthen Prohibitions Against Discrimination on the Basis of a Disability in Health Care and Human Services Programs - September 7, 2023**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS and the U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Agreement Resolving HIV Discrimination Complaint Involving a New Jersey Home Healthcare Provider – August 30, 2023**
                          - Read the Press Release

**OCR Secures Agreement with PA to Advance the Rights of People in Recovery and Involved in Child Welfare Services – August 8, 2023**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS Issues Proposed Rule to Advance Non-discrimination in Health and Human Service Programs for LGBTQI+ Community – July 11, 2023**
                          - Read the Press Release

**OCR Marks 24th Anniversary of the Olmstead Decision – June 22, 2023**
                          - Read the Press Release
                          - Read the Blog Post

**HHS Office for Civil Rights Resolves Complaints with CVS and Walgreens to Ensure Timely Access to Medications for Women and Support Persons with Disabilities – June 16, 2023**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS Releases Report to Increase Language Access for Persons with Limited English Proficiency – May 24, 2023**
                          - Read the Press Release                              - Lea el comunicado de prensa en español
                            - 阅读中文新闻稿 (Chinese - Simplified)
                            - 閱讀中文新聞稿 (Chinese - Traditional)

**OCR Settles Complaint with Florida Health Center that Failed to Provide Effective Communication for a Patient’s Caregiver – May 10, 2023**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS and Department of Justice Announce Agreement in Environmental Justice Investigation of Alabama Department of Public Health – May 4, 2023**
                          - Read the Press Release

**Read the Statement by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on Missouri’s Emergency Regulation Restricting Access to Gender Affirming Care – April 25, 2023**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS Reminds States of Legal Obligations to Federal Civil Rights Protections as States Transition from Medicaid Continuous Coverage Changes as the Public Health Emergency Ends – April 5, 2023**
                          - Read the Press Release

**Commemorating Women’s History Month – March 2023 – March 28, 2023**
                          - Read the Blog

**HHS Office for Civil Rights and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan Resolve Federal Civil Rights Complaint Regarding a Doctor’s Alleged Failure to Provide a Sign Language Interpreter – March 23, 2023**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS Office for Civil Rights Reaches Agreement with Hillsborough County Fire and Rescue in Florida to Improve Access to Care for Communities of Color – March 7, 2023**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS Office for Civil Rights Works with Arizona State Court to Ensure Meaningful Access for People with Limited English Proficiency – November 22, 2022**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS Office for Civil Rights Takes Action to Ensure Effective Communication for Those Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing – November 9, 2022**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS and DOJ Issue Guidance on Nondiscrimination in Telehealth the week of the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – July 29, 2022**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS Announces Proposed Rule to Strengthen Nondiscrimination in Health Care - July 25, 2022**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS Issues Guidance to the Nation’s Retail Pharmacies Clarifying Their Obligations to Ensure Access to Comprehensive Reproductive Health Care Services - July 13, 2022**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS Voluntary Resolution Agreement with the University of Southern California Settles Title IX Compliance Review - June 15, 2022**
                          - Read the Press Release

**Special Report: Raising Awareness of Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents During the COVID-19 Pandemic - May 20, 2022******
                          - Read the report
                          - Read the Joint  press release  
                          - Read  HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm’s remarks 
                          - Watch HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm’s Remarks at the 1-Year Anniversary of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act 

**Settlement Agreement Reached with Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families to Address Discrimination Against Parents with Disabilities - March 30, 2022**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS Notice and Guidance on Gender Affirming Care, Civil Rights, and Patient Privacy - March 2, 2022**
                          - Read the Guidance                              - Statement by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra Reaffirming HHS Support and Protection for LGBTQI+ Children and Youth  - March 2, 2022

**HHS Issues New Guidance for Health Care Providers on Civil Rights Protections for People with Disabilities - February 4, 2022**
                          - Read the Press Release

**Massachusetts Healthcare Provider Resolves Allegations of Discriminatory Practices Regarding Patients Needing Opioid Use Disorder Treatment - December 22, 2021**
                          - Read the Press Release

**New Guidance to Boost Accessibility and Equity in COVID-19 Vaccine Programs - December 22, 2021**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS Office for Civil Rights Commemorates World AIDS Day - December 1, 2021**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS Takes Action to Prevent Discrimination and Strengthen Civil Rights - November 18, 2021**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**HHS Office for Civil Rights and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts Settle Disability Discrimination Case with Baystate Medical Center - November 17, 2021**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**HHS Office for Civil Rights and U.S. Attorney's Office Settle Disability Discrimination Case with Backus Hospital - October 5, 2021**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Announces Lisa J. Pino as Director for Office for Civil Rights - September 27, 2021**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de los EE. UU. Anuncia a Lisa J. Pino como Directora de la Oficina de Derechos Civiles - 27 de septiembre de 2021**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release in Spanish

**Rhode Island, Massachusetts Healthcare Provider Resolves Allegations of Discriminatory Practices Regarding Patients Needing Opioid Use Disorder Treatment - August 9, 2021**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**HHS and DOJ Issue Guidance on “Long COVID” and Disability Rights Under the ADA, Section 504, and Section 1557 - July 26, 2021**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**OCR Provides Technical Assistance to the State of Arizona to Ensure Crisis Standards of Care Protect Against Age and Disability Discrimination - May 25, 2021**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**HHS Announces Prohibition on Sex Discrimination Includes Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity - May 10, 2021**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**HHS Introduces New Video Series on Federal Disability Rights Protections That Apply to Some Individuals in Recovery from an Opioid Use Disorder - April 19, 2021**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**New Legal Guidance and Resources to Ensure -- and Expand -- Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Disabilities and Older Adults - April 13, 2021**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**HHS OCR and DOJ Enter Voluntary Resolution Agreement with Michigan Bariatric Practice to Protect Patients from HIV Discrimination****- March 4, 2021**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**OCR Resolves Three Discrimination Complaints After Medstar Health System Ensures Patients With Disabilities Can Have Support Persons in Health Care Settings During Covid-19 Pandemic - February 25, 2021**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**OCR Publishes Proposed Rule Protecting Infants Born Alive from Discrimination on the Basis of Disability - January 15, 2021**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**OCR Provides Technical Assistance to Ensure Crisis Standards of Care Protect Against Age and Disability Discrimination - January 14, 2021**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**HHS OCR Enters into a Voluntary Resolution Agreement with the Arizona Department of Child Safety to Protect Limited English Proficient Parents from Discrimination - January 7, 2021**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**HHS Office for Civil Rights Reaches Landmark Agreement with Massachusetts Department of Children and Families to Address Discrimination Against Parents with Disabilities - November 19, 2020**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**HHS OCR Provides Technical Assistance to Ensure New Jersey Department of Children and Families Protect Parents with Disabilities from Discrimination - November 13, 2020**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**OCR Resolves Complaint with Utah After it Revised its Crisis Standards of Care to Protect Against Age and Disability Discrimination - August 20, 2020**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**OCR Issues Guidance on Civil Rights Protections Prohibiting Race, Color, and National Origin Discrimination During COVID-19 - July 20, 2020**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**OCR Resolves Complaint with Tennessee After it Revises its Triage Plans to Protect Against Disability Discrimination - June 26, 2020**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**HHS Finalizes Rule on Section 1557 Protecting Civil Rights in Healthcare, Restoring the Rule of Law, and Relieving Americans of Billions in Excessive Costs - June 12, 2020**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**OCR Resolves Complaints after State of Connecticut and Private Hospital Safeguard the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to Have Reasonable Access to Support Persons in Hospital Settings During COVID-19 - June 9, 2020**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**OCR Issues Bulletin on Ensuring the Rights of Persons with Limited English Proficiency in Health Care During COVID-19 - May 15, 2020**
                          - Read the LEP Bulletin

**OCR Secures Agreement with West Virginia to Protect Persons in Recovery from Opioid Use Disorder from Discrimination on the Basis of Disability - May 13, 2020**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**OCR Resolves Civil Rights Complaint Against Pennsylvania After it Revises its Pandemic Health Care Triaging Policies to Protect Against Disability Discrimination - April 16, 2020**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**OCR Reaches Early Case Resolution with Alabama After It Removes Discriminatory Ventilator Triaging Guidelines - April 8, 2020**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**OCR Issues Bulletin on Civil Rights Laws and HIPAA Flexibilities That Apply During the COVID-19 Emergency - March 28,2020**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**HHS OCR Secures Voluntary Resolution with CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System to Strengthen its Provision of Auxiliary Aids and Services to Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing - January 16, 2020**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**OCR Issues Guidance to Help Ensure Equal Access to Emergency Services and the Appropriate Sharing of Medical Information Following Puerto Rico Earthquakes - January 09, 2020**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**HHS OCR Secures Voluntary Resolution with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to Strengthen Language Access for LEP Individuals - December 19, 2019**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**HHS OCR Secures Voluntary Resolution and Ensures Child Welfare Programs in the Oregon Department of Human Services Protect Parents with Disabilities from Discrimination - December 4, 2019**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**HHS Office for Civil Rights Secures Corrective Action and Ensures Florida Orthopedic Practice Protects Patients with HIV from Discrimination - October 30, 2019**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**OCR Issues Guidance to Help Ensure Equal Access to Emergency Services and the Appropriate Sharing of Medical Information during Hurricane Dorian - September 3, 2019**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**HHS Office for Civil Rights Secures Agreement with Michigan State University for Systemic Changes to Resolve Investigation into Sexual Abuse by Larry Nassar - August 12, 2019**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**Maryland Orthopedic Practice Agrees to Provide Deaf 6-year-old a Qualified Interpreter - July 24, 2019**

**The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), has entered into a Voluntary Resolution Agreement with Mid-Maryland Musculoskeletal Institute (MMI). The agreement resolves the complaint, alleging MMI provided an unqualified sign language interpreter and did not ensure effective communication with a deaf patient, in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. MMI is an orthopedic practice in Maryland that provides a full-range of orthopedic services, including onsite physical therapy. MMI receives Federal financial assistance (FFA) through its participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs and is subject to the requirements of Section 504 and Section 1557.**
                          - Read the Press Release
                          - Read the Voluntary Resolution Agreement

**** People using assistive technology may not be able to fully access information in this file. For assistance, contact the HHS Press Office at (202) 690-6343 or by emailing OCRMedia@hhs.gov.**

**OCR Provides Critical Technical Assistance to Ensure that Individuals with Disabilities Have Full and Equal Access to Health Care Services - June 27, 2019**

**OCR successfully provided technical assistance for individual language and medical services and thus improved the health care of an individual while improving the care of a medical facility.**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS Proposes to Revise ACA Section 1557 Rule to Enforce Civil Rights in Healthcare, Conform to Law, and Eliminate Billions in Unnecessary Costs**

**Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed regulatory reform related to regulations issued under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The proposed rule would maintain vigorous civil rights enforcement on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, and sex, while revising certain provisions of the current Section 1557 rule that a federal court has said is likely unlawful. The proposal also would relieve the American people of approximately $3.6 billion in unnecessary regulatory costs over five years.**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**OCR Resolves Disability Complaint of Individual Who Was Denied the Opportunity for Heart Transplant List Placement - February 12, 2019**

**The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that it has successfully resolved a complaint against the University of North Carolina Health Care (UNC Health Care) system alleging that it unlawfully denied an individual the opportunity to be placed on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) list on the basis of their disability.  UNC Health Care is a public academic medical center comprised of North Carolina Memorial Hospital, North Carolina Children's Hospital, North Carolina Neurosciences Hospital, and North Carolina Women's Hospital.**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release

**New HHS Checklist Helps First Responders Ensure Language Access and Effective Communication During Emergencies - December 10, 2018**

**Recent natural disasters have demonstrated the importance of ensuring accessibility to health and human services for everyone living in the United States, including individuals who are limited English proficient or with disabilities in need of interpretation and translation services.  HHS' Office for Civil Rights led efforts by the HHS Language Access Steering Committee to develop a plain language checklist to help first responders provide services to individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities during emergency response and recovery efforts, in accordance with federal civil rights laws.  The checklist includes recommendations, specific action steps, and resources to assist first responders in providing on-the-ground language assistance and communicating effectively in disasters.  Practical tips range from how to identify language needs in a disaster-impacted community to effectively utilizing interpreters.**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release.

**OCR Launches Public Education Campaign About Civil Rights Protections in Response to the National Opioid Crisis - October 25, 2018**

**Today, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a public education campaign on civil rights protections in response to the national opioid crisis.  The materials inform the public about civil rights protections that may apply to a person in recovery from an opioid addiction and ensure that covered entities are aware of their obligation to comply with federal nondiscrimination laws.**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release
                          - Visit the OCR Opioids Page

**OCR Issues Guidance to Help Ensure Equal Access to Emergency Services and the Appropriate Sharing of Medical Information During Hurricane Florence**

**In preparation for Hurricane Florence, OCR has issued a press release providing resources and effective practices to help emergency responders and officials effectively serve at-risk populations and ensure that the whole community is included in emergency response and recovery efforts.  OCR continues to coordinate with our sister agencies and federal partners to make sure that responsible officials are mindful of all segments of the community as they prepare for disaster response in the areas affected by Hurricane Florence.**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release
                          - Visit the Civil Rights Emergency Preparedness Page
                          - Visit the HIPAA Emergency Preparedness Page

**The HHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Administration for Community Living (ACL), and OCR, have jointly publish a report entitled "Ensuring Beneficiary Health and Safety in Group Homes Through State Implementation of Comprehensive Compliance Oversight" – January 17, 2018**
                          - Read the Report and Model Practices

**OCR works with DOJ to ensure federally funded medical center provides communication services for deaf and hard of hearing patients - 12/21/2017**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release
                          - Read the Voluntary Resolution Agreement

**OCR Addresses National Origin Discrimination in Alabama Child Welfare Programs - 10/25/2017**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release
                          - Read the Voluntary Resolution Agreement

**HHS Office for Civil Rights Enters Into Agreement with Oklahoma Nursing Home to Protect Patients with HIV/AIDS from Discrimination - 9/08/17**
                          - Read the HHS Press Release
                          - Read the Voluntary Resolution Agreement

**Hurricane Harvey Response: OCR Identifies Practices and Resources for Emergency Responders/Officials to Help Ensure Individuals Have Equal Access to Emergency Services – 8/30/17**
                          - Read the Press Release

**HHS OCR and the US Attorney's Office of Connecticut Enter Agreement with UConn Health to Ensure Effective Communication – 1/03/17**
                          - Read the Bulletin
                          - Read the Settlement Agreement

**Erie County of New York State Enters Agreement with HHS OCR to Ensure Availability of Language Assistance Services for Individuals with LEP – 12/22/16**
                          - Read the Bulletin
                          - Read the Settlement Agreement

**Guidance for Ensuring Accessibility of Health Programs and Activities offered through Electronic Information Technology – 12/21/16**
                          - Read the Bulletin
                          - Read the Guidance

**OCR Blog Post: ACA continues to break down barriers to health care for all Americans – 11/04/2016**
                          - Read the Blog Post

**OCR, Department of Justice and the Administration for Children and Families Release Title VI Joint Guidance Letter for Child Welfare Systems – 10/19/2016**
                          - Read the Title VI Guidance Letter
                          - Read the Press Release

**OCR signs effective communication Dear Colleague Letter with the Health Resources and Services Administration – 8/30/2016**
                          - Read the Bulletin
                          - Read the Letter
                          - En Español

**OCR issues report on its National HIV/AIDS Compliance Review Initiative – 7/13/2016**
                          - Read the Bulletin
                          - Read the Report
                          - Read Blog Post on HIV.gov

**HHS Guidance and Resources for Long Term Care Facilities – 6/23/16**
                          - Read the bulletin
                          - Read the MDS Guidance for Long Term Care Facilities

**HHS finalizes rule to improve health equity under the Affordable Care Act - 5/13/16**
                          - Learn more about Section 1557
                          - Click here for translated materials

**Georgia Agrees to Ensure Equal Access for Individuals with Disabilities to Foster and Adoption Programs and Services – 1/11/16**
                          - Read the Bulletin
                          - Read the Settlement Agreement

**OCR Launches Newly Redesigned Website - 01/06/16**

**OCR enters Agreement with Three Puerto Rico Hospitals to Ensure Access to Auxiliary Aids and Services - 10/26/15**
                          - Read the Bulletin
                          - Read the Voluntary Resolution Agreement

**OCR Issues Proposed Rule on Nondiscrimination under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act**

**Note that the comment period ended at midnight on November 9, 2015. The NPRM is available for review at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=HHS-OCR-2015-0006**
                          - Click here for a Summary   Español ,  中文 ,  Tiếng Việt ,  한국어 ,  Tagalog , Русский ,  العربية ,  Kreyòl ayisyen ,  Français ,  Português ,  Polsk ,  i 日本語 ,  Italiano ,  Deutsch ,  فارسى
                          - Click here for the Questions and Answers about the NPRM
                          - Español ,  中文 ,  Tiếng Việt ,  한국어 ,  Tagalog ,  Русский ,  العربية ,  Kreyòl ayisyen ,  Français ,  Português ,  Polsk ,  i 日本語 ,  Italiano ,  Deutsch ,  فارسى
                          - Click here for the Press Release
                          - For documents in alternative formats, please call (800) 368-1019 or (800) 537-7697 (TDD)

**HHS and DOJ Issue Disability Rights Technical Assistance on Child Welfare - 8/10/2015**
                          - Technical Assistance Cover Letter
                          - Disability Rights Technical Assistance
                          - Bulletin

**Arizona Agrees to Improve Immigrant Access to Federal Public Benefits Programs - 7/16/15**
                          - Read the Bulletin
                          - Read the Agreement

**Brooklyn Hospital Center Implements Non-Discriminatory Practices to Ensure Equal Care for Transgender Patients - 7/14/15**
                          - Read the Bulletin
                          - Read the Agreement

**OCR signs Effective Communication Dear Colleague letter with Puerto Rico Hospital Association - 6/09/15**
                          - Read the Bulletin
                          - Read the Letter
                          - En Español

**OCR and DOJ find discrimination against persons who are deaf and hard-of-hearing in Connecticut Hospital - 3/20/2015**
                          - Read the Bulletin
                          - Read the Settlement Agreement

**Michigan Medical Care Facility Commits to Race Non-Discrimination in Staff Assignments - 2/13/2015**
                          - HHS Bulletin
                          - Resolution Agreement

**OCR and DOJ find disability discrimination in Mass. child welfare -1/29/15**
                          - HHS Bulletin
                          - Joint Letter of Findings

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Content last reviewed March 6, 2024