Which authority investigates and brings enforcement actions for serious violations of health information privacy?

The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is the authority responsible for investigating and enforcing the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, specifically those concerning health information privacy. Under HIPAA, the OCR has the mandate to handle complaints related to privacy violations, conduct compliance reviews, and impose penalties for serious breaches of individuals’ health information. This function is essential to safeguarding patient privacy and ensuring that entities comply with federal regulations protecting health data.

In contrast, other entities mentioned do not primarily focus on health information privacy enforcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation typically handles criminal matters and national security, while the Department of Health and Human Services oversees various health policies but does so more broadly rather than focusing explicitly on enforcing privacy regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency, meanwhile, is dedicated to environmental protection and does not engage in health information privacy enforcement at all. Therefore, the selection of the Office of Civil Rights is accurate given its specialized role in protecting health information privacy under HIPAA.