Rodriguez named HHS Office for Civil Rights director

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that Leon Rodriguez has been appointed the director of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

As the department’s civil rights and health privacy rights law enforcement agency, the OCR investigates complaints filed by the public, and provides technical assistance and public education to ensure understanding of and compliance with federal nondiscrimination and health information privacy laws.

Rodriguez most recently served as chief of staff and deputy assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. From May 2007 to January 2010, Rodriguez served as county attorney for Montgomery County, Md. Prior to entering private law practice, Rodriguez was a federal and state prosecutor in various jurisdictions.

“He will ... spearhead the department’s continued work to ensure greater consumer confidence through strong and effective enforcement of the privacy and security of protected health information,” Sebelius said



 

Around the web

The American College of Cardiology has shared its perspective on new CMS payment policies, highlighting revenue concerns while providing key details for cardiologists and other cardiology professionals. 

As debate simmers over how best to regulate AI, experts continue to offer guidance on where to start, how to proceed and what to emphasize. A new resource models its recommendations on what its authors call the “SETO Loop.”

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, said the clinical community needs to combat health misinformation at a grassroots level. He warned that patients are immersed in a "sea of misinformation without a compass."

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup