Final answer:
Patients' access and control over their health records are governed by HIPAA and enhanced by the ACA's regulations, which include adopting EMRs to protect privacy and control healthcare costs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rule that gives patients greater access to their medical records and more control over their health information is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which was enacted in 1996. Moreover, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) further bolstered patients' rights by requiring healthcare providers to adopt Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) to streamline healthcare administration and protect patient privacy.
When developing policies that address health records concerns, one must consider three key questions to strike a balance between costs, quality of life, and privacy. These include:
- How can healthcare providers manage treatment and diagnosis costs without compromising patient quality of life?
- What measures can be taken to ensure the privacy of electronic health records in a landscape where digital sharing among providers is increasing?
- What legal and ethical safeguards are in place to protect patients' privacy rights while ensuring public health and safety in scenarios involving communicable diseases?
When considering legal and ethical challenges, the use of patient health information must adhere to HIPAA rules, even in complex situations such as informing sexual partners of potential health risks. Controlled access and consent play crucial roles in establishing who controls a person's genetic information and maintaining privacy safeguards. The ACA addresses healthcare cost control in part by capping provider administrative expenses and mandating the transition to EMRs.