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

INSTRUCTOR COURSE POLICIES:

Students are required to participate in class in a respectful manner whether or not the interactions are online or face-to-face. All course assignments must be submitted to D2L in Microsoft format including, Word documents and Power Point. For students without Microsoft software, Microsoft offers students a free download of Office 365.

LATE WORK 

All work MUST be turned in on time. Late work will not be accepted unless you have prior permission to turn it in late. Permission must be requested at least 3 days prior to the due date (e.g., if it’s due on the 10^th you must request permission to turn it in late by no later than the morning of the 7^th). Permission will only be given if very unusual circumstances arise. Computer nor work issues count as unusual circumstances as you have plenty of time to complete each assignment. Don’t wait until the last minute to complete your assignments as technical, family, or work-related issues could arise.

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.

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.