HHS Civil Rights
@HHSOCR
The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) protects your rights against discrimination and ensures that your health information is private, secure, and accessible.
Today, OCR announced a settlement with Syracuse ASC, an ambulatory surgery center, to resolve potential violations of the HIPAA Security and Breach Notification Rules, concerning a ransomware breach that affected 24,891 individuals. hhs.gov/press-room/ocr…
Today, HHS OCR issued a limited waiver of HIPAA sanctions and penalties as a result of @SecKennedy declaring a public health emergency for Texas in response to the consequences of severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding. hhs.gov/hipaa/for-prof…
Today, I declared a Public Health Emergency for the State of Texas to ensure immediate access to critical health care resources for those impacted by the catastrophic flooding. This emergency declaration allows health care providers from across the country to step in quickly and…
Texas is working tirelessly to assist local officials with recovery and rescue operations. Heavy rain continues to be a threat. Texans should be weather aware. Texas will not stop until every missing person is found. More info: bit.ly/3TYye8t
Today, OCR announced a settlement with a behavioral health provider to resolve potential violations of the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules. hhs.gov/press-room/ocr…
Today, OCR announced that Harvard University violated Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act by acting with deliberate indifference toward harassment of Jewish and Israeli students by other students and faculty. hhs.gov/press-room/hhs…
Today, OCR announced an investigation of the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League under Title IX for allowing male athletes to compete on sports teams reserved for females. hhs.gov/press-room/ocr…
Today’s, OCR’s Director reflects on OCR’s Olmstead Initiative and disability rights legacy in her blog post that celebrates the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision and underscores @SecKennedy’s leadership. hhs.gov/blog/2025/06/2…
OCR announced a resolution agreement with North Carolina to support integration of persons with disabilities into community life. Under @SecKennedy’s leadership, HHS supports individuals with disabilities in leading healthy and productive lives. hhs.gov/press-room/ocr…
Today, OCR announced an investigation into a Midwest health system to determine the entity’s compliance with federal laws that safeguard health care professionals’ exercise of conscience rights in health care. hhs.gov/press-room/ocr…
HHS announces Paula M. Stannard as Director of the Office for Civil Rights to promote and enforce the civil rights, conscience, religious freedom, and HIPAA authorities in HHS’ s jurisdiction. hhs.gov/press-room/ocr…
What we have now is a sick-care system that’s a bundle of perverse incentives. Our job is to disrupt that system and democratize it. Thank you, @DrOzCMS, @DrMakaryFDA, @NIHDirector_Jay and Amy Gleason for your efforts to empower patients, unleash innovation, and Make America…
HHS sent a letter to health care providers, risk managers, and state medical boards urging immediate updates to treatment protocols for minors with gender dysphoria based on HHS’ comprehensive review that found puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries have very weak…
Today, OCR announced a settlement with Comstar, LLC to resolve a potential violation of the HIPAA Security Rule’s Risk Analysis provision concerning a ransomware breach that affected over half a million individuals. hhs.gov/press-room/hhs…
Today, OCR announced a settlement with BayCare Health System to resolve several potential violations of the HIPAA Security Rule concerning impermissible access to a patient’s electronic protected health information. hhs.gov/press-room/hhs…
Today, on Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country—and the Gold Star Families who carry their loss and legacy. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, I’m committed to ensuring our veterans and their families receive the care,…
ICYMI: On May 23, 2025, OCR released the notice publicized on May 22nd finding Columbia University in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. hhs.gov/press-room/ocr…
OCR announced that Columbia University violated Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act by acting with deliberate indifference toward student-on-student harassment of Jewish students. hhs.gov/press-room/ocr…
Today, OCR announced a settlement with Vision Upright MRI to resolve a potential violation of the HIPAA Breach Notification and Security Rules concerning an unsecured server containing medical images of 21,778 individuals. hhs.gov/press-room/hhs…
Today, OCR announced its fifth investigation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to combat anti-Semitism. The investigation will examine serious and systemic allegations of discrimination against Jewish students. hhs.gov/press-room/hhs…
Today, OCR announced an investigation of how a hospital accommodates its health care workers who decline to perform or assist in the performance of abortions contrary to their religious beliefs or moral convictions. hhs.gov/press-room/hhs…