Course Overview:

This graduate course is intended to serve as an introduction to the specifics of health-related legislation and programs and their legal and ethical implications for providers and consumers of health care. The course examines the basic principles and practices of law affecting health facilities, medical practice, patient care and treatment, medical services, and other health-related functions relating to health employment law. Ethical issues relating to health care, such as genetics, euthanasia, and privacy, will be examined.

Course Objectives:

After completion, students should be able:

·      To understand the structure of the American legal system, its application to our health care system and gain insights on federal healthcare policy making

·      To learn how rights and responsibilities of patients, providers, and health plans (both governmental and commercial) are described in contracts and federal and state laws

·      To appreciate general rules, and exceptions to those rules, related to the creation and operation of health care facilities

·      To understand the range of patients’ rights and how those are expressed in formal, binding documents and interpreted by the courts

·      To gain a basic understanding of legal principles associated with contracts, antitrust law, behavioral health law, intellectual property, bioethics, clinical research and reproductive rights

·      To understand how technology is shaping the creation, transmission, storage and use of personal health information and how those activities are regulated by federal and state laws

Required Textbooks and Materials:

Steiner, J. E.(2013). Problems in Health Care Law. 10th Ed. Jones and Bartlett     

ISBN 9781449685522

Required Technology: Laptop/PC with internet connection.

Other Materials:

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

Supplemental readings and/or information may be made available at times during the course.

Instructional Methods:

Instructional strategies for this class will include assigned readings, participation in discussions, and written assignments, which will include independent research.

Course Assignments:

Weekly Modules: Modules specific to each week are posted on D2L. Each module consists of the following measurable learning outcomes: assigned readings, written assignments, or a discussion topic. Please follow the instructions for assignment completion posted within each module. Each module must be completed by the due date specified in the tentative course schedule included in this syllabus.

Class Discussion: Each module will have one discussion that may consist of questions or a case study, with mandatory participation for a grade. Whenever possible, the professor will try to design cases and questions to help you explore issues that will help you in your future career. Each module will contain various questions that will be explored during the discussions.

Student responses should be provided in the text window within the discussion area and NOT as an attachment. Students are encouraged to type their responses in Word and copy/paste them into the discussion response window. Student responses must be carefully thought out, drawing upon the readings or other appropriate outside sources. For each discussion, students should post their discussion and respond to at least two other classmates. Initial discussion posts should include at least two peer-reviewed sources besides your text. Initial discussion posts should be between 250 and 300 words, and responses should be at least 75 and 150 words. Peer responses should include at least one peer-reviewed source. The points earned depend on the student’s context, the quote from the literature, the response to others, etc. Responses to others' posts should be thoughtful and add to the discussion – a response of "I agree" will not earn any points. Discussion posts will be graded based on the quality of the content, length of the content, and compliance with APA7th edition guidelines for citations and references. This is a great platform to share your experiences and thoughts on weekly topics.

Note: Complete APA formatting cannot be done within D2L. When posting in discussions, the student may not be able to incorporate hanging indents, double spacing, or page headers/footers. However, correct citations and references are still required.

Homework Assignments: The goal of the Writing Assignment is to help you apply and focus on the information contained in the modules. It should help you delve deeper into the theory surrounding the subjects covered in the module(s). Most Writing Assignments require a minimum of two unique peer-reviewed articles. Textbooks, magazines, newspapers, and trade journals are NOT peer-reviewed. The professor will review each assignment using a rubric that will be posted. Grading and comments by the professor may take up to fifteen business days. Students should use these comments to help improve the next Writing Assignment. Not correcting your errors signifies one of two things to the professor – you are either unclear about the error, or you have not reviewed the comments. If you are not clear what the reason for any point deduction is, it is your responsibility to contact the professor for more details. During the discussion and writing assignments, the student should take on the role of a mid to upper-level administrator in a healthcare organization. Each module will contain various questions that will be explored during a Writing Assignment and/or the discussions.

Final Exam: The final exam is cumulative, online, and will be timed. Exams in this class will be completed using Respondus Lockdown Monitor. Respondus Lockdown Monitor will record video as you complete the exam. More details on the final exam.

LATE WORK: Late work will not be accepted. All assignments submitted after the due date will receive an automatic zero unless written permission is given from the professor before the due date. Requests to turn in any work late must be submitted in writing at least ONE week (7 calendar days) before the due date. Permission will only be given if very unusual, extreme circumstances arise. Computer and work issues are not unusual circumstances, as the student is provided time to complete each assignment. Do not wait until the last minute to complete assignments.

TurnItIn: MSU takes plagiarism very seriously and has provided many resources to help students avoid intentional and unintentional plagiarism. TurnItIn is an excellent plagiarism checker and runs a report each time an assignment is submitted. Students have access to a version of the report through the Assignments area, and this report provides a similarity index. Students are encouraged to review the TurnItIn report, as it highlights areas that need better paraphrasing. The professor reviews the TurnItIn report and may contact you with any concerns. Students must paraphrase, cite, and reference appropriately in their papers following APA 7^th edition guidelines. The paper must be written in the student’s own words with appropriate citations. Quotations should rarely be used, following APA 7^th edition guidelines.

Course Assignment Style Guidelines:

For all assignments, students are expected to follow APA 7^th edition formatting guidelines.

Grading: Final Grades will be calculated from the total points obtained in class. Weighting of assignments for purposes of grading will be as follows:

Assignments

Grade Points

Weekly Discussion (10X6)

 240 Points

 Homework (3X60)

 640 Points

Final Exam

 120 Points  

Total Possible Points  

1000 Points

Grade percentages (GP) will be calculated based on a student’s accumulated points throughout the semester. The following point scale will be utilized for grading:

900-1000 Points (90% or More)             A

 800-899 Points (80%-89.99%)                      B

 700-799 Points (70%-79.99%)                      C

 600-699 Points (60-69.99%)                        D

Students who accumulate below 600 points or 60% of GP will get an ‘F.’

Notes: It is important to know that obtaining a 'C' or lower grade in the course may impact your enrollment in the program. There are no extra credit opportunities in this course.

Class Participation: Because this is an online, asynchronous learning course, your discussion posts will be counted as your participation in the class. Communicating through discussion posts is critical. Online learning requires self-motivation.

Grading Timeline: The instructor plans to complete grading assignments within fifteen (15) business days of assignment submission. If you have questions about the grading timeline anytime during the semester, please email using D2L email.

Academic Honesty:

The written work reflects the student’s own ideas and words unless specifically attributed to another source. A very limited amount of quotation and paraphrasing for written assignments is acceptable. However, appropriate acknowledgment of the ideas, works, writings, or opinions must be cited following APA 7^th edition guidelines. Academic dishonesty is unacceptable and a breach of the student code of ethics.

Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

1) Plagiarism

2) Submitting work that was not prepared by you (fraud)

3) Helping another student with their work (cheating)

4) Group work, unless specifically assigned by the professor

Please note that any breach of the student code of ethics could result in dismissal or an ‘F’ grade.

For more information on the student code of ethics, please visit Student Conduct

AI Statement:

Writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills are part of the learning outcomes of this course. The student will prepare all writing assignments. Developing strong competencies in this area prepares the student for a competitive workplace. Therefore, AI-generated submissions are not permitted and will be treated as plagiarism.

Desire-to-Learn (D2L):

This course exclusively uses the MSU D2L program. Each student is expected to be familiar with this program, which provides a primary source of communication regarding assignments, examination materials, and general course information. Students log into D2L through the MSU Homepage. Please contact the program technicians listed for any difficulties.

Online Computer Requirements:

Students must have access to a computer with Internet access to complete and upload assignments. Students are responsible for having (or having access to) a working computer in this class. All assignments are due by the due date posted in the Module, and computer technical difficulties are not considered a reason for the professor to allow students extra time. Computers are available on campus in various areas of the buildings, as well as the Academic Success Center. For technical difficulties in the course, a student helpdesk is available for assistance. The college cannot work directly on student computers due to liability and resource limitations. For help, log into D2L. On the course home page, the student will find a Help section with selections including Student Resource Page and Report a Problem.

Students with Disabilities:

In accordance with Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, MSU Texas endeavors to make reasonable accommodations to ensure equal opportunity for qualified persons with disabilities to participate in all educational, social, and recreational programs and activities. After notification of acceptance, students requiring accommodations should apply for such assistance through Disability Support Services in the Clark Student Center, Room 168, (940) 397-4140. Current documentation of a disability will be required to provide appropriate services, and each request will be individually reviewed. To learn more about DSS, you can also visit Disability Support Services

Campus Carry:

Please refer to the University's webpage at Campus Carry Rules

Note: The syllabus contents are as accurate as possible. Changes in the course syllabus, procedure, assignments, and schedule may be made at the instructor's discretion. It is the student’s responsibility to know what changes have been made and complete the course requirements. There are no

LATE WORK: Late work will not be accepted. All assignments submitted after the due date will receive an automatic zero unless written permission is given from the professor before the due date. Requests to turn in any work late must be submitted in writing at least ONE week (7 calendar days) before the due date. Permission will only be given if very unusual, extreme circumstances arise. Computer and work issues are not unusual circumstances, as the student is provided time to complete each assignment. Do not wait until the last minute to complete assignments.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Obligation to Report Sex Discrimination under State and Federal Law

Midwestern State University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from sex discrimination of any kind. State and federal law require University employees to report sex discrimination and sexual misconduct to the University’s Office of Title IX. As a faculty member, I am required to report to the Title IX Coordinator any allegations, personally observed behavior, or other direct or indirect knowledge of conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, or stalking, involving a student or employee. After a report is made, the office of Title IX will reach out to the affected student or employee in an effort to connect such person(s) with resources and options in addressing the allegations made in the report. You are also encouraged to report any incidents to the office of Title IX. You may do so by contacting:

Laura Hetrick

Title IX Coordinator
Sunwatcher Village Clubhouse
940-397-4213

laura.hetrick@msutexas.edu

You may also file an online report 24/7 at Maxient 

Should you wish to visit with someone about your experience in confidence, you may contact the MSU Counseling Center at 940-397-4618. For more information on the University’s policy on Title IX or sexual misconduct, please visit MSU Texas Title IX

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.