Which federal act is designed to protect patient privacy?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is specifically designed to protect patient privacy. This federal law establishes standards for the protection of sensitive patient health information. It ensures that individuals' personal and health-related information is kept confidential and only shared with authorized parties. HIPAA provides patients with rights over their health information, including the right to access their records and request corrections. The act also requires healthcare providers and organizations to implement safeguards to protect this information against breaches of confidentiality.

In contrast, other options focus on different areas: FERPA protects the privacy of student education records, ADA pertains to the rights of individuals with disabilities, and OSHA focuses on workplace safety and health standards. Each of these laws serves important roles, but it is HIPAA that specifically addresses the privacy of patient health information.