What law is primarily responsible for protecting patient health information?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the law primarily responsible for protecting patient health information in the United States. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA establishes standards for the protection of sensitive patient data, ensuring that individuals' medical records and personal health information are properly secured and handled. This legislation not only sets forth regulations regarding the sharing and safeguarding of health information but also gives patients certain rights over their health data, such as the right to access their records and request corrections.

The other laws listed play different roles: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) pertains primarily to educational records and student privacy, not healthcare information. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides employees with job-protected leave for serious health conditions but does not address privacy of health information. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination based on disability, which does not specifically cover the confidentiality of patient health data. Thus, HIPAA stands out as the key legislation for the protection of health information.