Which act established standards for protecting health information in the United States?

• A. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• B. Nurse Practice Act
• C. Affordable Care Act
• D. Patient Privacy Act

Answer: (A)

Protecting health information in the U.S. is guided by a federal standard that set clear rules for privacy and security. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) established national standards for protecting health information, including the Privacy Rule that limits disclosures and gives patients rights over their PHI, the Security Rule that requires safeguards for electronic health information, and breach notification rules. This framework also recognizes individuals’ rights to access and control their records.

The other options don’t fit the standard for protecting health information: while the Nurse Practice Act governs nursing licensure and practice, and the Affordable Care Act targets insurance coverage and system reforms, neither establishes the comprehensive privacy and security protections of PHI. The Patient Privacy Act isn’t the established federal standard for health information protection.