Which law primarily addresses the confidentiality of patient information in healthcare?

The law that primarily addresses the confidentiality of patient information in healthcare is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Enacted in 1996, HIPAA was designed to ensure the privacy and security of individuals' medical records and other personal health information. Specifically, it sets national standards for the protection of health information, imposing strict requirements on healthcare providers, insurers, and other entities regarding how they handle and safeguard sensitive patient information.

HIPAA's Privacy Rule establishes patients' rights over their health information and dictates how healthcare providers must manage and disclose that information, requiring them to implement safeguards to protect data from unauthorized access and breaches. This focus on maintaining the confidentiality of patient records is what makes HIPAA the cornerstone of patient privacy legislation in the United States.

Other laws mentioned, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act, primarily focus on workplace safety and health standards, while the Equal Employment Opportunity Act addresses employment discrimination, and the Family and Medical Leave Act provides for unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons. None of these acts specifically target the confidentiality of patient information, making HIPAA the clear answer.