Discrimination on the Basis of Race, Color, or National Origin

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for enforcing the nondiscrimination requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) as it  applies to covered entities under the jurisdiction of OCR. This jurisdiction includes entities that conduct programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services.  For a full list of nondiscrimination requirements for which OCR has jurisdiction, please review the Understanding Your Civil Rights page. For a list of areas of nondiscrimination enforcement for which the Office for Civil Rights does not have jurisdiction, please review the Civil Rights Enforcement through Other Federal Agencies web page.

Your Rights

Title VI protects persons from discrimination based on their race, color, or national origin in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance. There are many forms of illegal discrimination based on race, color, or national origin that may limit the opportunities of individuals to gain equal access to services. A recipient of Federal financial assistance may not, based on race, color, or national origin:

• Deny services or other benefits provided as a part of health or human service programs.
• Provide a different service or other benefit, or provide services or benefits in a different manner from those provided to others under the program.
• Segregate or separately treat individuals in any matter related to the receipt of any service or other benefit.