Which federal regulation aims to protect the privacy and security of health information?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is designed specifically to safeguard the privacy and security of individuals' health information. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA establishes national standards for the protection of health information, ensuring that personal health data is kept confidential and used appropriately. It outlines the rights of individuals regarding their health information and sets forth regulations that healthcare providers, plans, and business associates must follow to protect this data from unauthorized access and breaches.

This regulatory framework is critical for helping patients maintain control over their personal health information in a healthcare landscape where data sharing is increasingly common. HIPAA's Privacy Rule and Security Rule are essential components that detail how healthcare entities must handle, protect, and share health information.

Other options, such as COBRA, the ACA, and HCQIA, address important aspects of healthcare and insurance, but they do not specifically focus on the privacy and security of health information in the same manner that HIPAA does.