This course explores how statutes, regulations, common law, and market forces help or hinder three major goals of policy makers: increasing access, reducing cost, and improving quality. We will examine the Supreme Court’s rulings on the ACA and other legal aspects of modern health care reform. Learners who successfully complete this course will be able to describe the laws, regulations, common law and market forces that shape our health care system and identify areas where ideas and innovation are needed; explain the malpractice system and how it influences medical practice; and analyze legal aspects of the ACA.
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About this Course
What you will learn
Identify the distinguishing features of the American healthcare system and the role of administrative law in modern medical care
Understand the history, scope, and limits of conscientious objection
Define the basic medical malpractice standard used in the U.S. legal system
Understand the role of the federal government in administering Medicare and Medicaid
Skills you will gain
Offered by

University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Introduction to the U.S. Legal System, EMTALA
This introductory module begins with an overview of the U.S. legal system as context for the complex patchwork that is U.S. health law. We then look in detail at how administrative law functions to regulate modern medical care. Then we take a close look at our first specific law - EMTALA, which guarantees screening and stabilization in emergency situations.
Formation and Termination, Privacy and Confidentiality
The second module closely examines the doctor-patient relationship: how it is formed, terminated, and in some cases, abandoned. We then examine the rise of conscientious objection as a right of medical providers.
Quality Control
This module explores the various mechanisms in place to ensure quality control in the U.S. healthcare system, including licensure and accreditation as a preventative measure, and tort law and liability as a remedial measure.
Medicare, Medicaid, and The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
This final module focuses on the role of the federal government in administering Medicare and Medicaid as well as the effects of the recently passed Affordable Care Act.
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM U.S. HEALTH LAW FUNDAMENTALS
Dr. Ruger is an excellent speaker, engaging and informative. Would highly recommend this course for a basic understanding of the basis for some of our healthcare laws, statutes and policies.
Dean Ruger is excellent!! I loved how practically he presented each lecture. He was interested and the graphics, notes and readings were very clear and applicable. Great course.
This course was informative and I like the style of the professor. A nice refresher. I wish I could earn continuing education credits.
Very good course, although some of the readings are over my learning objectives and wish to learn in a more practical way.
About the Healthcare Law Specialization
This Specialization is designed to help you navigate the complex legal framework that governs modern health systems. You will learn the fundamentals of American health law, then explore how privacy law shapes the relationship between healthcare providers and their patients. You will also learn how intellectual property law influences everything from the pharmaceutical industry, to medical research, to cutting-edge ethical issues involved in emerging technologies such as DNA-testing. Finally, the specialization will conclude with a study of how other countries vary in their approaches to solving the common problems that face all health systems.

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