What federal regulation mandates the protection of patient health information privacy?

The correct choice is based on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which establishes regulations to protect patient health information and ensure privacy in healthcare settings. HIPAA is specifically designed to safeguard medical records and other personal health information, regulating how healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities handle this sensitive data.

This regulation is vital in maintaining the confidentiality and security of health information, thus giving patients more control over their personal data. It applies to a wide range of health-related entities and outlines specific requirements for safeguarding information against unauthorized access or disclosure.

The other regulations listed serve different purposes: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) focuses on prohibiting discrimination based on disability; the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) pertains to the protection of student education records; and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) mainly addresses corporate governance and accountability in financial reporting. Therefore, these options do not relate to patient health information privacy in the way that HIPAA does.