Which regulatory framework sets requirements for protecting health information?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly known as HIPAA, specifically sets regulations regarding the protection of health information. This federal law was enacted to ensure that individuals' medical records and other personal health information are properly protected while allowing the flow of health information needed to provide high-quality health care. It establishes national standards for the privacy and security of health information, dictating how healthcare providers, health plans, and clearinghouses must safeguard personal health data against unauthorized access and breaches.

HIPAA includes provisions for both the handling and sharing of protected health information (PHI), which encompasses medical records, billing information, and other related health data. Organizations that fail to comply with HIPAA face significant fines and penalties, emphasizing its critical role in the realm of healthcare data protection.

In contrast, other regulatory frameworks mentioned have different focuses. For instance, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act deals primarily with corporate governance and financial disclosure, while the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard is aimed at securing credit and debit card transactions. The Children's Online Privacy Act addresses the collection of personal information from children under 13, without specific reference to health information. Therefore, the reason HIPAA is the correct choice is its dedicated mandate to protect health information specifically.