The privacy of a medical record is protected by which level of law?

• A. Local ordinances.
• B. State laws.
• C. International treaties.
• D. Federal laws.

Answer: (D)

Privacy of medical records is protected by federal law in the United States. The key federal statute is HIPAA, which, through its Privacy and Security Rules, sets nationwide standards for how protected health information can be used and disclosed, gives patients rights over their records, and imposes penalties for violations. This creates a uniform baseline of protection across all states and providers, which is why federal law is the best answer. Local ordinances may address specific community concerns but don’t provide the nationwide, consistent framework HIPAA offers. International treaties don’t directly govern U.S. healthcare privacy in day-to-day practice, and states can have their own laws, but HIPAA establishes the overarching federal standard that applies everywhere healthcare facilities operate.