What law was one of the first federal laws to provide specific protection for patient privacy?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly known as HIPAA, was one of the first federal laws to provide specific protection for patient privacy. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA established national standards for the protection of health information, ensuring that patients' medical records and other personal health information are kept confidential and secure. HIPAA introduced rules regarding the use and disclosure of individuals' health information, effective safeguards against unauthorized access, and the right for patients to access their own medical records.

This legislation was crucial in addressing the growing concerns about patient confidentiality in an increasingly digital age, setting the foundation for patient rights related to their health information. The other options, while related to privacy and confidentiality in different contexts, do not specifically focus on patient privacy in healthcare settings as HIPAA does. For example, FERPA pertains to the privacy of student education records, the HITECH Act focuses on the promotion of health information technology, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act primarily addresses healthcare coverage and access rather than privacy protections.