Impact of the HIPAA Privacy Rule and Implications for Future Generations - Essay Example

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (2007), “The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule is the first comprehensive Federal protection for the privacy of personal health information.” Even though the word Privacy seems outstanding in the Rule, there is more to the interpretation and legal understanding of the Rule.

Writing on the official website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Thacker (2003) reports that the HIPAA Privacy Rule is “under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.” Since its inception in 2003, there has been lots of research to find out what the HIPAA Privacy Rule represents and what it has to offer the ordinary American.

Though generally accepted as a good rule, there still needs a lot more studies and research to be conducted into the rule to ensure that it serves the interest of the patient to the later. The HIPAA Privacy Rule was passed with a lot in mind for the privacy of the information of the patient. 

However, it should take constant education of the masses to help them appreciate the Act as their Right and begin to fight for it. Again, research work for possible amendments to the Act should not cease. Debates on the Act should continue; just as case studies on it. If all possible criticisms surrounding the Act are welcomed and accepted as healthy tools for improvement, generations to come will come to meet this Act as a legacy, worth holding on to.