On December 12, 2014, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a regulatory change to ensure that legally married same-sex spouses receive the same rights as opposite-sex spouses in Medicare and Medicaid participating facilities. These rules apply regardless of whether the state where the facility is located recognizes same-sex marriages. CMS is a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. It is responsible for administering the Medicare program and, in partnership with state governments, the Medicaid program.