What is the main purpose of the HIPAA law?

The main purpose of the HIPAA law, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is to protect patient healthcare information. This legislation was established to set national standards for the protection of sensitive patient data, ensuring that individuals' medical records and personal health information are kept private and secure.

HIPAA establishes requirements for healthcare providers, insurance companies, and other entities that handle health information to implement safeguards that protect against data breaches and unauthorized access. By doing so, it strengthens the confidentiality and security of patient information, giving patients greater control over who can access their health data.

Other options relate to healthcare but do not address the core focus of HIPAA. While there are regulations governing nursing home practices, these are not the primary intent of HIPAA. Likewise, while the law indirectly supports fair treatment by safeguarding personal health information, its primary mission is not about equity in treatment. Funding for healthcare services is also outside the scope of HIPAA’s objectives, focusing instead on information privacy and security.