LAW-2052 Affordable Care Act
This course builds on the Health Law and Policy course, which is a prerequisite. After uncovering the structure of the legislation we will analyze the public philosophy of the ACA and its effect on the health system. The course explores several topics including: litigation challenging the legality of the ACA; health insurance exchanges; the Medicaid expansion; accountable care organizations; the new system of independent medical review of insurer decisions to deny medical care; insurance subsidies; insurance mandates; health system reforms; new rules for tax-exempt hospitals and collection of unpaid bills; and topics of interest to students. We will vary topics each year to include current controversial issues. We will also critique the ACA, the law's implementation, and explore options for future reforms. We will read legal cases, appellate briefs, regulations, articles and news reports. Students will investigate selected issues and make presentations on their findings. Grading: One half of the course grade will be based on either a paper or take-home exam (whichever the student chooses). The second half of the grade will be based on student presentations. Students may use the course to meet their upper class writing requirement only if they have had a paper proposal approved by the instructor at least two weeks before the first class meeting.