Final answer:
HIPAA ensures the protection of patient information by requiring healthcare providers and insurers to maintain strict confidentiality. It also safeguards against nonconsensual release of identifiable health data.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), passed in 1996, is a fundamental piece of American legislation that ensures the protection of patient information. HIPAA mandates that entities like insurance companies and healthcare providers must uphold the confidentiality of patient records. This protection extends to preventing the unauthorized, nonconsensual release of individually identifiable health information to entities not involved in the patient's care. Moreover, related to HIPAA, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008 protects individuals from discrimination based on their genetic information by employers and health insurance companies.