The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today issued a final rule to advance health equity and reduce health care disparities. Under theNondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities final rule, individuals are protected from discrimination in health care based on pregnancy, gender identity and sex stereotyping. The final rule implements Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which is the first federal civil rights law to broadly prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender in federally funded health programs. Previously, civil rights laws enforced by HHS’s Office for Civil Rights broadly barred discrimination based only on race, color, national origin, disability, or age. The final rule also enhances language assistance for people with limited English proficiency and helps to ensure effective communication for individuals with disabilities.