HCMT 324 - Healthcare Policy & Law

(3 hours) Prerequisite: HCMT 323. This course explores in a general overview how the legal process and US political system impacts the health care system. An introduction to basic health care law will be provided. Students will examine topics such as privacy, patient’s rights, liability of individual practitioners and health care organizations. Students will be able to identify how specific legislation, such as the Affordable Care Act of 2010, Sarbanes-Oxley and other laws which impact the system. A discussion of how legislation impacts Medicare, Medicaid reimbursements, and how private insurance impacts policy development and implementation. The impact of current legal issues and the American political environment on individuals and providers within the health care system will be evaluated. Students will be required to provide an analysis of potential health care reform for the future.