Final answer:
HIPAA is a federal statute enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1996 to protect patient health information and ensure its confidentiality. It was signed into law by President Bill Clinton and sets national standards for healthcare providers and related businesses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal statute. It was enacted by the United States Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996. HIPAA's primary purpose is to set national standards for the protection of sensitive patient health information.
Businesses that handle healthcare information are required to ensure the confidentiality and security of patient records, to protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal health data.
Moreover, HIPAA is a critical component of the American legal framework as it establishes the rights of patients over their personal health information and the obligations of healthcare providers and other related businesses.
The enactment of HIPAA was a significant legislative step to protect individual health information while allowing the flow of health data needed to provide high-quality health care and protect the public's health and well-being.
The act addresses the legitimate need to protect individual health information without imposing unnecessary barriers to the delivery of healthcare and other important functions.