Final answer:
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008 are key federal regulations ensuring patient healthcare information privacy in the United States. Cyber data protection is also covered by various laws like COPPA and internationally by regulations like GDPR in the EU.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary federal regulation that ensures privacy regarding a patient's healthcare information is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), enacted in 1996. HIPAA sets standards for the protection of sensitive patient data and mandates that healthcare providers, insurers, and other covered entities maintain strict confidentiality of patient records. This act also includes provisions to protect against unauthorized, nonconsensual release of individually identifiable health information. Additional legislation, like the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008, further prohibits genetic discrimination and limits the use and disclosure of genetic information.
Concerns about data privacy extend to cyber data issues as well. Various U.S. state and federal laws protect personal cyber data. For instance, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) controls what information websites can collect about children. Moreover, individuals are encouraged to familiarize themselves with their privacy rights and to take safety measures to protect their own data.
Internationally, data protection laws vary. The European Union, for example, has implemented the extensive EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which strictly controls the collection and processing of citizens' data by both private businesses and government agencies, ensuring robust protection.