Overview
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes nationwide standards governing the privacy and security of individuals’ protected health information (PHI). The Privacy Rule outlines specific circumstances in which PHI may be accessed to support legitimate investigative needs while safeguarding patient confidentiality. As states adopt new policies affecting reproductive health care, understanding HIPAA’s boundaries and permissible disclosures is essential to ensure that investigative practices remain lawful, consistent, and respectful of privacy protections.