Final answer:
HIPAA is a law passed in 1996 that facilitates the privacy and protection of patients' health information, prevents unauthorized disclosure, and combats discrimination based on genetic data.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 is a significant piece of legislation that has had a major impact on patient privacy and the confidentiality of health information. HIPAA is known for setting standards for the protection of sensitive patient data. It requires entities such as insurance companies and healthcare providers to maintain strict confidentiality of patient records and regulates how individually identifiable health information can be used and disclosed.
With the advancements of projects like the Human Genome Project (HGP), HIPAA was enacted partly to prevent discrimination based on genetic information by making the nonconsensual release of health information illegal. Subsequent legislation, such as the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) in 2008, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) in 2010, further extended protections provided to patients with respect to their health information.