Which law provides protections for individually identifiable health information?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the law that provides essential protections for individually identifiable health information. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA was introduced to ensure the privacy and security of individuals' medical records and other personal health information. It establishes national standards for the protection of health information, governing how healthcare providers, insurers, and clearinghouses handle and disclose this sensitive data.

HIPAA's Privacy Rule specifically dictates the circumstances under which health information can be shared and requires that individuals be informed of their rights regarding their health information. This law is crucial in maintaining patient confidentiality and trust in the healthcare system.

While the other options, such as the HITECH Act, focus on advancements in health information technology and aim to improve healthcare through digital means, they do not primarily serve as protections for personal health information like HIPAA does. The Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act and the Patient Safety Quality Improvement Act address different health-related issues and do not focus on safeguarding individually identifiable health information in the same manner as HIPAA.