HHS Civil Rights

“Conscience Rights are Civil Rights.” OCR Director Paula M. Stannard underscored our mission at the Center for Faith and SAMHSA’s Called to Care Behavioral Health event today at HHS. She emphasized that faith-based organizations are essential partners in HHS’s mission to advance health and well-being. OCR ensures they can serve on equal footing, free from discrimination based on their religious beliefs or moral convictions. @HHSFaithCenter #FaithBasedProviders #ConscienceRights

Today, America marks 250 years of independence. The promise of 1776, that all are created equal, remains at the heart of OCR's work to safeguard civil rights and equal access to health and human services for all Americans. OCR reaffirms that promise by enforcing the law as written and protecting every individual from discrimination in HHS funded programs, ensuring people are judged on merit, not race, color, or national origin. At @HHSOCR, we believe in equal treatment, not preferences. #HHS #CivilRights #Independence #America250 #TitleVI

On July 2, 1964, the Civil Rights Act became law, affirming the nation's commitment to equal treatment under the law. As we mark its anniversary, the HHS Office for Civil Rights reflects on the work that commitment requires. #CivilRightsAct #HHS #CivilRights

It's official. The reorganization of @HHSOCR is now published in the Federal Register. Our updated structure is built around our core programs, so we can protect civil rights, conscience and religious freedom, and health privacy more effectively. Read the notice: federalregister.gov/documents/2026… #HHS #CivilRights #ConscienceRights

America faces more than a chronic disease epidemic that threatens our physical health. We also face a spiritual malaise that undermines our mental health. Our children are increasingly isolated, fragmented, and anxious, spending more than 8.5 hours a day on screens. This summer, put down the phone and reconnect with nature, family, and community. It's time to Take Back Your Health. Eat Real Food. Get Active. Together, we will Make America Healthy Again.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IS THE LAW. #HHS #TitleIX #CivilRights

@HHSOCR celebrate Title IX’s prohibition of sex discrimination across recipients of HHS funded education programs, such as NIH-funded university research, HRSA-funded health professions training programs, ACF-funded Head Start programs, and HHS-funded teaching hospitals. #HHS #TitleIX #CivilRights

Today, we celebrate 54 years of equal opportunity in HHS funded programs. Looking back at the 37 words that changed education and the people that made it possible. #HHS #TitleIX #CivilRights

Beyond athletics, OCR has secured institutional reforms over the years at universities, including their medical schools, health and wellness centers, and their academic health systems, to improve protections against sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and misconduct, so students can learn in a safe environment. This included ensuring that universities with high-profile offenders have the policies, procedures, training, and internal reporting mechanisms that prevent and address sex discrimination. OCR has also ensured that HHS-funded education and workforce training programs that support economic mobility and career advancement provide equal opportunity regardless of sex. #HHS #TitleIX #CivilRights

On this day in 1972, Congress enacted Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, advancing equal opportunity on the basis of sex in education programs and activities funded by @HHSGov. Under @POTUS’s leadership, @HHSOCR found Title IX violations in ME and MN—cases where females were denied fair and safe opportunities to compete and earn recognition and advancement. Biological differences between males and females justify sex-separated teams for competitive sports. There are real concerns of safety and competitive disadvantage for women: not due to lack of skill, but because of well-documented physiological advantages males hold.

OCR has announced a $450,000 settlement with a health plan following a ransomware investigation. This marks our 20th ransomware enforcement action. Read the full press release: hhs.gov/press-room/ocr… #Cybersecurity #HealthIT

Were you discriminated against by a @HHSGov funded program for exercising your conscience rights — or because of your faith? We want to hear from you. Learn about your rights at hhs.gov/conscience/you… #ConscienceRights #CivilRights #ReligiousFreedom

@HHSGov is steering a new and better course. "People of faith do not have to check their beliefs at the door to practice medicine or science." — @HHS_ASH Adm. Brian Christine #ConscienceRights #CivilRights #ReligiousFreedom

"OCR is done treating conscience rights as second-class rights. Conscience rights are civil rights." — @HHSOCR, Director Paula M. Stannard, Director #ConscienceRights #CivilRights #ReligiousFreedom

In late April, the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias released its 2026 Report. The findings are serious. The actions @HHSgov is taking are real. Watch the full conversation with @HHSOCR, Director, Paula M. Stannard & @HHS_ASH, Admiral Brian Christine. #HHS #ConscienceRights #CivilRights #ReligiousFreedom

.@HHSOCR is reestablishing the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division at @HHSGov. Under the leadership of @POTUS and @SecKennedy, we are reversing the reckless policies of the Biden administration and restoring Americans’ constitutional right to exercise their faith.

Following a recent federal court ruling in Tennessee v. Kennedy, HHS will no longer enforce provisions of the 2024 ACA Nondiscrimination Rule related to gender identity. Read more: hhs.gov/press-room/inf…

"This reorganization reinstitutes a structure that rightly prioritizes civil rights and conscience and religious freedom alongside health information privacy and security.” #ConscienceRights #CivilRights #ReligiousFreedom

Thanks @SecKennedy for your commitment restore and protect conscience and religious liberty. #HHS #MAHA #ConscienceRights #CivilRights #ReligiousFreedom