Which law protects the privacy of patient health information?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the law that specifically protects the privacy of patient health information. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA sets national standards for the protection of health information, ensuring that personal and sensitive health details remain confidential. Its Privacy Rule establishes the conditions under which an individual's health information can be used or disclosed by healthcare providers and health plans.

HIPAA requires entities that handle health information to implement stringent safeguards to protect this information from unauthorized access. This includes creating policies for sharing information, training employees on privacy protocols, and providing patients with rights regarding their health information.

The other options, while they might pertain to health information in some capacity, do not carry the same nationwide legal authority or comprehensive privacy protections that HIPAA does. Understanding HIPAA's role is crucial for anyone working in healthcare to ensure compliance and to uphold patient confidentiality effectively.