Which act is known for protecting health information privacy and security?

• A. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
• B. FERPA
• C. Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
• D. California Privacy Act

Answer: (A)

Health information privacy and security are protected primarily by HIPAA. This act establishes standards for how individually identifiable health information (PHI) can be used and disclosed, and it includes a Security Rule that requires organizations to implement safeguards—administrative, physical, and technical—to protect electronic PHI. It also grants patients rights over their records and requires breach notification and proper enforcement. The other laws address different domains: FERPA protects student education records, GLBA governs financial institutions and financial data, and the California Privacy Act covers broader consumer data privacy but not health-specific information.