Which federal law regulates the availability and confidentiality of medical records?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the federal law that specifically governs the privacy and security of medical records. HIPAA establishes national standards for protecting sensitive patient health information, specifies patients' rights regarding their medical records, and requires healthcare providers and organizations to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of identifiable health information.

HIPAA's provisions ensure that personal health information can only be disclosed to authorized individuals or entities, safeguarding patients' privacy and reinforcing their control over their medical records. The act also outlines penalties for violations, making it a critical component of health information management.

In contrast, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) primarily focuses on expanding healthcare coverage and access, while the Social Security Act is concerned with social insurance programs like Social Security disability benefits, and the Medicare Act centers on providing healthcare coverage for eligible elderly and disabled individuals. None of these laws is specifically designed to regulate the confidentiality and availability of medical records in the way that HIPAA does.