What HHS office protects individual patients health information privacy?

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for protecting individual patients' health information privacy. It enforces the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule, which establishes standards for the protection of health information. OCR investigates complaints, conducts compliance reviews, and provides guidance on privacy regulations to ensure that patients' health information is safeguarded.