What key concept does the HITECH Act address in relation to HIPAA?

The HITECH Act, which stands for the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, primarily focuses on enhancing the enforcement of the existing provisions under HIPAA, particularly regarding the privacy and security of health information. With the advancements in technology and the increase in electronic health information exchanges, HITECH strengthens the ability to impose penalties for violations of HIPAA rules.

By modifying enforcement mechanisms, the HITECH Act introduced stricter penalties for non-compliance, allowed state attorneys general to pursue actions on behalf of their residents, and expanded the scope of organizations considered business associates under HIPAA regulations. This means that both covered entities and business associates can be held accountable for breaches of protected health information (PHI).

This focus on enforcement is critical in addressing the growing concerns regarding data security in the healthcare sector and ensuring that entities are compliant with established standards to protect patient information.