Which statement best captures HIPAA's primary intent?

• A. To regulate hospital licensing and accreditation
• B. To regulate the pricing of pharmaceuticals
• C. To standardize employee performance reviews
• D. To protect and secure health insurance coverage for workers and families when they change or lose their jobs

Answer: (D)

HIPAA is primarily about health insurance portability and continuity. It ensures that workers and their families don’t lose their health coverage or face long waits for preexisting conditions when they change jobs or experience a job loss, making it easier to maintain insurance across employment transitions. The act also sets standards to protect the privacy and security of health information, but the central goal that underpins HIPAA is keeping people insured as they move between jobs. The other options focus on areas like hospital licensing, drug pricing, or employee performance reviews, which are outside HIPAA’s main purpose.