Health Policy and Law

[ program | faculty ]

All courses, faculty listings, and curricular and degree requirements described herein are subject to change or deletion without notice. Updates may be found on the Academic Senate website: http://senate.ucsd.edu/catalog-copy/approved-updates/.

Courses

For course descriptions not found in the UC San Diego General Catalog, 2016–17, please contact the department for more information.

HLAW 207A. Principles in Health Law and Policy A (4.5)

The course offers a broad introduction to the legal aspects of American health care, through an in-depth analysis of selected contemporary issues at the intersection of health care and legal systems. It draws heavily on the experiences of the participants as well as the faculty. The course attends to how and why the law came to be (legal policy), how it is used (legal process), and how it affects the shape, cost, and quality of health care in America (legal impact). Part A emphasizes “private” law topics—the legal environment within which the private participants in health care interact with each other. Prerequisites: admission to the MAS Health Policy and Law program or consent of department.

HLAW 207B. Principles of Health Law and Policy B (4.5)

This course presents a comprehensive view of modern issues at the intersection of health care and law, with an emphasis on improving understanding and synergy between the professions. The course stresses foundational understanding of how health law and policy is formulated and the application of health law and policy in current practice. A portion of the class is devoted to group work where students select and study issues in depth to build a framework for resolving enduring challenges in the field. A variety of timely topics on the health law system and procedures/processes, such as Medicare and Medi-Cal coverage, are introduced to reinforce understanding. Part B emphasizes “public” law—the law concerning government’s own activities and programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Prerequisites: admission to the MAS Health Policy and Law program or consent of department; HLAW-207A.

HLAW 210. Applied Health Law and Policy (3)

The course focuses on legal issues from the viewpoint of the administrator or chief clinical officer, including the patient record/HIT/HIPAA. The course gives emphasis to practical application and knowledge/skills to prepare the students for job search or career transition. Prerequisites: admission to MAS Health Policy and Law program, or consent of department.

HLAW 212. Special Topics in Health Law (2)

Given at the discretion of the faculty, topics of interest in health law will be presented for in-depth review and discussion by visiting or resident faculty members. The module will cover seminar topics related to health-care issues. May be taken for credit three times. Prerequisites: admission to MAS Health Policy and Law program or consent of department.

HLAW 213. Current Topics in Health Policy and Law (3)

Under the guidance of faculty, this survey course features a speaker series of experts covering a range of the most current topics in health policy and law. Prerequisites: admission to the MAS Health Policy and Law program or consent of the department.

HLAW 215. Comparative Study of Health-care Systems (3)

Assesses the major models for provision and financing of health care in the U.S. and the world today. Students gain an understanding of the health policy process and how health care is financed as well as learn to evaluate health policies according to range of criteria for cost, quality, and equity. Advantages and disadvantages of the various ways of organizing and financing health care are considered. Actions taken by employers, insurers, consumers, and government and the effects on physicians and provider organizations are analyzed. Prerequisites: admission to MAS Health Policy and Law program, or consent of department.

HLAW 216. Bioethics and Medical Practice (3)

Course examines bioethics from a clinical perspective using medical literature and case law to cover a range of topics such as the principles and theories of bioethics, truth telling and confidentiality, informed consent, research on animals and human subjects, technology and reproduction, surrogacy, abortion and fetal rights, maternal/fetal conflict, the right to die, physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia, medical decision making for incompetent patients, and the changing nature of the doctor-patient relationship. Medical ethical issues in health-care policy at the national and global level are also discussed including allocation of scarce medical resources, compulsory public health measures, clinical research in the developing world, and cross-cultural medical practice. Prerequisites: admission to MAS Health Policy and Law program, or consent of department.

HLAW 219A. Global Health Policy A: Foundations (3)

Students will learn fundamental principles and concepts of global health policy, law, and governance. The course will emphasize that global health policy challenges require a multidisciplinary approach involving a broad set of stakeholders and that local, national, and global health policy are all intertwined. Prerequisites: admission to MAS in Health Policy and Law program, or consent of department.

HLAW 219B. Global Health Policy B: Advanced Topics (3)

This course examines advanced current topics in global health policy using a combination of instruction, student participation, and policy simulation. Topics examined are cross-cutting across local, national, regional, and international health policy-making with practical examples of why more coordinated global health governance is needed. Prerequisites: admission to MAS in Health Policy and Law program, or consent of department.  

HLAW 298. Directed Studies in Health Law (2)

Faculty member will direct a student’s study in selected professional development topics in health law. Specific content will be tailored to the student’s particular needs and area of interest. Students must make arrangements with the program and individual faculty member prior to enrolling in the course each time. May be taken for credit three times. Prerequisites: admission to the MAS Health Policy and Law program or consent of department.

HLAW 298A-C. Health Law Research Forum (1-1-1)

This course series focuses on developing students’ research and scholarly writing skills for their Independent Study Projects (ISP). Topics include refining the research question, collecting/analyzing data, understanding research methodology, forming the ISP committee, and producing a viable ISP proposal. Prerequisites: admission to MAS Health Policy and Law program or consent of instructor and courses have to be taken in order from A to C.

HLAW 299. Independent Study Project in Health Law (3)

Students will be involved in a high-level applied research project. The project will cover an area of health law related to topics covered in the formal curriculum. Students’ work will be evaluated by a committee of faculty and may include industry advisors when appropriate. Prerequisites: HLAW 298A-C; admission to MAS Health Policy and Law program or consent of instructor.

General Electives

Varies. Refer to list of elective courses from UC San Diego and California Western School of Law.