Which act is designed to protect the health information of individuals?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is specifically designed to protect the health information of individuals. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA establishes national standards for the protection of certain health information, creating regulations that secure the confidentiality and privacy of patient data. This act requires healthcare providers, insurance companies, and other entities that deal with health information to implement safeguards that protect this sensitive information from being disclosed without patient consent.

By setting rules for the use and disclosure of individually identifiable health information, HIPAA ensures that individuals have greater control over their personal health data, enhancing patient trust and promoting the secure exchange of health information across the healthcare system.