What is one of the key purposes of HITECH legislation?

An essential purpose of the HITECH legislation is to enhance patient privacy rights regarding electronic health information. This legislation was enacted to promote the adoption of health information technology, while also strengthening the privacy and security provisions established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). By boosting the safeguards around electronic health records, HITECH empowers patients with greater control over their health information and ensures that their data is handled securely.

This focus on privacy is critical in the digital age where the exchange of health data electronically is prevalent, as it addresses concerns about unauthorized access and breaches of personal health information. HITECH also encourages healthcare providers to implement more robust security measures and to inform patients in case of a data breach, further solidifying the privacy rights of individuals concerning their health information.