Public Law 104-91 enacted in 1996, was designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system, protect health insurance coverage for workers and their families, and to protect individual personal health information.

The state of being free from intrusion or disturbance in one's private life or affairs. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed, 1993)

The privacy of information and its protection against unauthorized disclosure.

Short-term debt obligations and assets occurring in the regular course of operational transactions.

Protective measures against unauthorized access to or interference with computer operating systems, telecommunications, or data structures, especially the modification, deletion, destruction, or release of data in computers. It includes methods of forestalling interference by computer viruses or so-called computer hackers aiming to compromise stored data.

A cabinet department in the Executive Branch of the United States Government concerned with administering those agencies and offices having programs pertaining to health and human services.

Data processing largely performed by automatic means.

Computer-based systems for input, storage, display, retrieval, and printing of information contained in a patient's medical record.

Insurance providing coverage of medical, surgical, or hospital care in general or for which there is no specific heading.

Research that involves the application of the natural sciences, especially biology and physiology, to medicine.

Generally refers to the amount of protection available and the kind of loss which would be paid for under an insurance contract with an insurer. (Slee & Slee, Health Care Terms, 2d ed)

The obligations and accountability assumed in carrying out actions or ideas on behalf of others.