What law ensures patients have the right to access their medical information and encourages advance directives?

The correct answer is HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This law, enacted to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare systems, specifically mandates that patients have the right to access their own medical records. HIPAA establishes guidelines that healthcare providers must follow to ensure that patients can request to see their health information and obtain copies of it.

Moreover, HIPAA encourages the use of advance directives, which are legal documents that allow patients to outline their wishes regarding medical treatment in the event that they become unable to communicate those wishes themselves. By promoting access to personal health information and facilitating advance directives, HIPAA empowers patients to take an active role in their healthcare decisions.

Other options such as the HITECH Act primarily focus on the adoption of electronic health records and the security of health information, while the Patient Protection Act focuses on specific protections under the Affordable Care Act, and the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act deals with payment reforms for healthcare providers. While all these laws play significant roles in the healthcare system, HIPAA distinctly establishes patient rights regarding access to medical information and supports the concept of advance directives.