What does HIPAA do to further protect employees like Anthony with health-related concerns?

The correct answer highlights an essential aspect of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which is designed to protect individuals' health information. Under HIPAA, the confidentiality of health-related information is paramount, ensuring that such information cannot be used to make employment decisions. This protection is critical for employees like Anthony, as it helps create a safe environment where they can manage their health concerns without fear of discrimination or bias in the workplace based on their medical history.

By preventing health-related information from influencing employment decisions, HIPAA reinforces the principle of fair treatment and prohibits employers from using sensitive health data in ways that could negatively impact an employee's career. This protection is a crucial aspect of maintaining employee rights and promoting a fair workplace.

This aspect of HIPAA contrasts sharply with the other options, which propose measures that either do not align with HIPAA’s primary goals or misconstrue its intent. For example, requiring insurance companies to lower premiums, mandating health status disclosure, or allowing the sharing of medical records with coworkers does not accurately represent HIPAA’s focus on protecting health information privacy.