What is one major legislation impacting healthcare information management?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a significant piece of legislation that has a profound impact on healthcare information management. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA established national standards for the protection of patient health information. This law introduced strict regulations regarding the privacy and security of individuals' medical records, requiring healthcare organizations to implement safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of health information.

One of the primary components of HIPAA is the Privacy Rule, which gives patients rights over their health information and sets limits on who can access and share that information. Additionally, the Security Rule focuses on protecting electronic health information by requiring organizations to adopt various administrative, technical, and physical safeguards. In today's digital age, where electronic health records (EHRs) and data exchange are prevalent, HIPAA's regulations are crucial for maintaining trust between patients and healthcare providers as well as ensuring compliance within the healthcare industry.

The other options listed, while important in their respective areas, do not focus primarily on the information management aspect of healthcare. The Affordable Care Act primarily addresses health insurance coverage and access to care, the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act regulates the safety of food and drugs, and the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act centers