The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) resolved two separate investigations under federal disability rights laws stemming from complaints alleging the denial of effective communication for deaf patients. OCR enforces Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Section 1557). Both Section 504 and Section 1557 require regulated entities to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities. This requirement may include providing qualified sign language interpreters or other auxiliary aids and services when needed. The effective communication requirement applies for all healthcare, including mental, behavioral, and maternal healthcare. The resolutions secure a major psychiatric hospital’s and a regional health system’s compliance with federal civil rights requirements to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities.