What governs the penalty for a confidentiality breach regarding patient information?

The correct answer is HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This federal law was enacted to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge. HIPAA sets forth strict rules and regulations regarding the handling and privacy of individuals' health information, establishing guidelines for medical records, transactions, and data security.

When there is a breach of confidentiality involving patient information, HIPAA outlines the penalties and enforcement mechanisms that can be imposed on individuals or organizations that fail to comply with its provisions. These penalties can include civil and criminal charges, depending on the severity and intent of the breach.

While FERPA pertains to the privacy of student education records, HEOA relates to higher education access and affordability, and ADA is focused on the rights of individuals with disabilities, none of these specifically addresses the privacy and confidentiality of patient health information like HIPAA does. Therefore, HIPAA is the appropriate governing law for breaches related to patient confidentiality.