Identify a key legislation that protects patient information in healthcare.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a pivotal piece of legislation that focuses on the protection of patient information in healthcare settings. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA establishes strict guidelines for the privacy and security of health information, ensuring that patients' medical records and other personal health data are kept confidential. One of its primary goals is to safeguard sensitive patient information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge, thus enhancing trust in the healthcare system.

HIPAA consists of federal protections for personal health information, which cover various aspects including the rights of patients to access their own medical records, the conditions under which information can be shared, and the requirements for healthcare providers and organizations to implement adequate security measures. This legislation is crucial for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of patient data, especially in an era where electronic health records and data sharing are common.

The other options, while related to healthcare and patient rights in other contexts, do not specifically address the safeguarding of patient information in the same comprehensive manner as HIPAA does.