Communicating with the Department

Information about how to engage with DHHS, regardless of language or ability, and the laws that govern engagement.

The Office of Health Equity is committed to making it easy for everyone to understand and engage with DHHS’ services, regardless of language or ability.

Your feedback is very important to us. If there are ways we can improve, or if you have a concern about your language and communication access, please tell us about your experience.

If you believe that NH DHHS has failed to provide effective language and communication access to you, you can file a concern form with the Communication Access team. Please fill out the Communication Access Concern form.

If you believe that NH DHHS has discriminated on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex, you can file a complaint or grievance with the NH DHHS Office of the Ombudsman.

You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal available online, by mail or phone at:  

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
200 Independence Avenue, SW 
Room 509F, HHH Building 
Washington, D.C. 20201 
1-800-368-1019

 

Know Your Rights

Know Your Health Care Rights!

NH DHHS must ensure its compliance with applicable federal and state laws that protect the civil rights of the individuals served.

Federal Civil Rights Laws

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI

  • Prevents language-based discrimination from participation in federally funded activities.

American with Disabilities Act of 1990

  • A "package" of several laws that cover a wide variety of activities aimed to prevent discrimination and ensure access to all in the public.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

  • Prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs that receive federal assistance.

Executive Order 13166

  • Ensures federal entities and the services they provide are accessible to limited English proficiency (LEP) individuals
  • This also included working to ensure recipients of federal funds are also providing individuals with meaningful access to their service.

Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

  • Extends nondiscrimination protections to individuals participating in health programs or activities that are administered or funded by Health and Human Services.
  • Specifically prohibits the use of family/friends/children as interpreters
  • Requires covered entities to post notices of non-discrimination and availability of language assistance services and auxiliary aids and services that alert individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) to the availability of language assistance services and individuals with disabilities the availability of auxiliary aids and services

State Civil Rights Laws

NH RSA 354-A

  • Prohibits discrimination based on age, sex, gender identity, race, creed, color, marital status, familial status, physical or mental disability or national origin

NH RSA 521 A:5

  • Requires and interpreter to be provided, when necessary to ensure effective communication for individuals who are deaf or have hearing loss

NH RSA 135-C: 56-59

  • Protects the fundamental and personal rights of individuals receiving care in the State's Mental Health Services System. RSA 135-C:56, IV, in particular, holds that "[n]o person receiving mental health services shall be discriminated against in any manner because of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, or degree of disability."
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