What legislation enacted in 1996 protects the security and privacy of health data?

The legislation that protects the security and privacy of health data, enacted in 1996, is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA was designed to safeguard sensitive patient information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge. It establishes national standards for the protection of health information through regulations that outline how healthcare providers, health plans, and business associates must handle patient data.

Under HIPAA, individuals have the right to understand and control how their health information is used and shared. The act includes provisions that require entities to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic health records, while imposing strict penalties for those who violate these privacy rules. This focus on privacy and security has been crucial in building trust between patients and healthcare providers, allowing individuals to seek care without fear of unauthorized access to their personal health information.

Other options pertain to different aspects of healthcare regulation and reform but do not specifically address the protection of health data in the same comprehensive way that HIPAA does.