Which federal law aims to protect individual health information?

• A. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act
• B. The Affordable Care Act
• C. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
• D. The Patient Protection Act

Answer: (C)

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the federal law specifically designed to protect individual health information. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA establishes national standards for the protection of certain health information, ensuring that individuals' medical records and other personal health information are properly safeguarded. This law mandates that healthcare providers, insurers, and their business associates implement strict measures to protect the confidentiality and security of health information, allowing patients to have more control over their personal data.

The other options address different aspects of healthcare but do not serve the primary function of protecting individual health information in the same comprehensive manner as HIPAA. For example, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act focuses more on promoting the adoption of health information technology and the meaningful use of electronic health records, while the Affordable Care Act and the Patient Protection Act primarily aim to expand healthcare coverage and improve access to care, rather than directly address the protection of health information.