What is one of the goals of HIPAA?

One of the primary goals of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is to protect the confidentiality of consumer healthcare information. This act was established to ensure that sensitive patient information is safeguarded against unauthorized access and breaches. By implementing strict rules and guidelines, HIPAA helps to maintain the privacy of individuals' medical records and personal health information, thereby fostering trust between patients and healthcare providers.

This focus on confidentiality is crucial in a healthcare environment where the sharing of personal information is necessary for treatment and services, but also poses a risk if not adequately protected. Thus, the act empowers patients by giving them rights over their health information and requires healthcare entities to be accountable for handling that data properly.