Final answer:
The claim in the question is false; HIPAA does not specifically protect against genetic discrimination; this protection was established with the passage of GINA in 2008.
Step-by-step explanation:
False, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) enacted in 1996, does not, on its own, provide federal protection against genetic discrimination in health insurance. HIPAA does protect against the unauthorized release of individually identifiable health information.
However, the specific prohibition against genetic discrimination in health insurance came with the passage of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008. GINA specifically prohibits genetic discrimination by health insurance companies and employers, forbidding insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on genetic information, and barring employers from using genetic information for decisions about hiring, firing, or promotions.