Physician assisted suicide legislation and its effect on end-of-life care Physician assisted suicide (PAS) is a controversial and complex issue that has ethical, legal and social implications for patients, families, healthcare professionals and society. PAS refers to the practice of a physician providing a competent patient with a prescription medication to end his or her […]
A comparison of medical malpractice legislation in different US states Medical malpractice is a legal term that refers to the failure of a health care provider to meet the standard of care expected by a reasonable patient, resulting in harm or injury. Medical malpractice lawsuits are civil actions that seek to compensate the injured patient […]
Paid sick leave legislation and population health outcomes during infectious disease outbreaks Paid sick leave policies aim to support workers’ health and financial security when they fall ill. By allowing employees to take time off work without losing pay, paid sick leave legislation seeks to reduce presenteeism, where sick individuals come to work and risk […]
Have State and Federal Mental Health Parity Laws Reduced Discrimination? For many years, those suffering from mental health and substance use disorders faced significant discrimination and barriers to accessing needed healthcare. Insurance plans routinely imposed more restrictive limits on coverage for behavioral healthcare compared to medical services. In response, both the federal government and many […]
Impact of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) on medical research The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that was enacted in 1996 to protect the privacy and security of sensitive patient health information. HIPAA applies to health plans, health care clearinghouses, and health care providers that electronically […]
Right-to-try legislation and access to investigational drugs Right-to-try legislation is a legal framework that allows patients with life-threatening diseases or conditions to access investigational drugs that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but have completed Phase 1 clinical trials. The aim of right-to-try legislation is to provide an alternative pathway […]
The relationship between certificate of need laws and healthcare costs Certificate of need (CON) laws are state regulations that require healthcare providers to obtain approval from a state board before they can offer new services, expand facilities, or invest in technology. The original purpose of these laws was to control healthcare costs, improve quality, and […]
Disparities in Access to Reproductive Healthcare under Different State Abortion Laws Reproductive healthcare is a vital component of women’s health and well-being, yet it is under constant threat from restrictive state laws that limit access to contraception and abortion services. These laws not only violate women’s human rights, but also create significant disparities in health […]
Effect of Medical Liability Reform on Healthcare Utilization and Spending Medical liability reform is a topic of ongoing debate in the US, as policymakers seek to balance the goals of ensuring patient safety, compensating victims of medical errors, and reducing the costs of healthcare. One of the main arguments in favor of medical liability reform […]
The influence of the Sunshine Act on conflicts of interest in medicine The Sunshine Act, also known as the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, is a federal law that requires pharmaceutical and medical device companies to report any payments or transfers of value they make to physicians and teaching hospitals. The purpose of the law is […]
