This is a survey course in U.S. health policy and law. It begins by describing the basic machinery of policymaking and legal process that underpin the individual health care and health systems and then turns to an exploration of many of the fundamental problems and contemporary issues in health policy and law. Students will learn to think systematically about these issues and the various methods available to public and private policymakers to solve them. Students should also be able to [1] discern when significant legal issues exist in a situation and when consultation with legal counsel is appropriate; [2] have a basic familiarity and facility with legal terminology to be in a position to consult effectively with legal counsel; [3] be able to identify and critically assess news reports and professional matters related to legal issues in health care.

This is a survey course in U.S. health policy and law. It begins by describing the basic machinery of policymaking and legal process that underpin the individual health care and health systems and then turns to an exploration of many of the fundamental problems and contemporary issues in health policy and law. Students will learn to think systematically about these issues and the various methods available to public and private policymakers to solve them. Students should also be able to [1] discern when significant legal issues exist in a situation and when consultation with legal counsel is appropriate; [2] have a basic familiarity and facility with legal terminology to be in a position to consult effectively with legal counsel; [3] be able to identify and critically assess news reports and professional matters related to legal issues in health care.