What does HIPAA aim to protect?

HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is primarily designed to safeguard the privacy and security of individuals' medical records and health information. This means that any health information that can identify an individual, such as their medical history, treatment details, or insurance information, is protected under HIPAA regulations. The law establishes national standards for the protection of health information, ensuring that healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities handling such sensitive data take appropriate measures to maintain its confidentiality and integrity.

In contrast to the other options, which may involve privacy concerns in different contexts, HIPAA specifically focuses on the health sector and the private medical information of individuals. Financial information of organizations, intellectual property rights, and personal data related to employment fall outside the unique scope and intentions of HIPAA's protections, making the focus on medical records and health information the accurate choice.