Which federal law protects health information?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the federal law that protects health information. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA aims to ensure the privacy and security of individuals' medical records and other personal health information. It sets national standards for the protection of certain health information, giving individuals rights over their own health information and establishing rules for how that information can be shared and managed.

HIPAA's privacy rule mandates that healthcare providers, health plans, and other health-related entities must protect the confidentiality of health information and restrict its disclosure without patient consent. This is crucial in maintaining the trust between patients and healthcare providers and promoting a secure healthcare system.

Other federal laws listed do not specifically address the protection of health information in the same way that HIPAA does. The Fair Credit Reporting Act primarily regulates the collection and use of consumer credit information. The Patient Protection Act focuses on expanding healthcare access and coverage rather than strictly regulating health information privacy. The Privacy Protection Law is more general and does not specifically target health information. Hence, HIPAA stands out as the primary legislation dedicated to safeguarding health information privacy and security in the United States.