What is the main purpose of setting boundaries on the use of health information?

The main purpose of setting boundaries on the use of health information is to protect patients' privacy rights. This is a fundamental aspect of healthcare regulation, particularly under laws like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), which mandates strict confidentiality and limits on how personal health information can be shared. By establishing these boundaries, healthcare providers ensure that sensitive information is only accessed and disclosed in ways that respect individuals' privacy and uphold trust in the healthcare system. This protection is essential for safeguarding patient autonomy and fostering an environment where patients feel comfortable disclosing their health information to providers.

While simplifying data management or reducing healthcare costs may have their own merits, they do not align with the core objective of safeguarding patient privacy and rights. Free access to data would inherently risk compromising those privacy rights, making it less likely that patients would trust healthcare systems to handle their information responsibly.