Final answer:
HIPAA, passed in 1996, is designed to protect the confidentiality and privacy of patient information, complementing healthcare reforms like the PPACA that aim to expand health insurance access.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly abbreviated as HIPAA, was passed into law in 1996. Its primary goal is to ensure the protection of patient information, setting stringent standards for confidentiality and handling of health records. HIPAA requires entities such as insurance companies and healthcare providers to maintain the privacy of patient records, thereby addressing concerns over the nonconsensual release of individually identifiable health information. In the context of healthcare reforms, it complements laws like the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), signed into law in 2010, which aims to expand access to health insurance and introduce various healthcare reforms.