Which amendment relates to patients' rights to access their medical records?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) fundamentally addresses the handling of medical records and patient privacy. This legislation grants patients specific rights regarding their health information, including the right to access their medical records. HIPAA aims to protect the privacy of individuals' health information and ensures that patients can request their records and receive copies of them, promoting transparency and control over personal health data.

In the context of patient rights, HIPAA sets forth guidelines that healthcare providers must follow when it comes to disclosing and maintaining patient information, which is pivotal for ensuring that patients know what information is held about them and how to obtain it. This access is crucial for facilitating informed patient care, allowing individuals to take an active role in their health management, including making informed decisions about their treatment.

Other options may touch on aspects of health care or privacy but do not specifically provide the same level of focus and authority over patient access to their own medical records as HIPAA does. For instance, while the Privacy Act also addresses privacy concerns, it applies more broadly and is not solely specific to medical records, making HIPAA the best choice in this context.