U.S. Health Law Fundamentals

This course is part of Healthcare Law Specialization

Instructor: Theodore Ruger

15,716 already enrolled

Included with

Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

267 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

267 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll 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

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Healthcare Law Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

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.

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.

What's included

6 videos3 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

6 videosTotal 65 minutes

Introduction10 minutes
Overview and Distinctive Features of U.S. Law10 minutes
The Administrative State and Modern Medical Care11 minutes
The Basic Duty to Provide Care12 minutes
EMTALA's Statutory Response13 minutes
Institutional and Individual Obligations in the Emergency Context9 minutes

3 readingsTotal 85 minutes

Introduction to American Legal System45 minutes
Hurley vs. Eddingfield20 minutes
Case Examples of EMTALA Violations20 minutes

1 assignment

Week 1 Quiz0 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Introduce Yourself!10 minutes
Duty to treat?10 minutes

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.

What's included

4 videos3 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

4 videosTotal 46 minutes

Formation of the Treatment Relationship12 minutes
The Law of Termination and Abandonment7 minutes
The Rise of Conscientious Objection11 minutes
Informed Consent: The Basic Materiality Standard15 minutes

3 readingsTotal 85 minutes

Patient Abandonment Cases: What You Need to Know25 minutes
Conscientious Objection30 minutes
Informed Consent30 minutes

1 assignment

Week 2 Quiz0 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 20 minutes

Conscientious Objection20 minutes

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.

What's included

5 videos2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

5 videosTotal 56 minutes

Quality Control through Gatekeeping: Licensure and Accreditation11 minutes
Health Care Quality and the Basic Medical Malpractice Standard15 minutes
Medical Malpractice Reforms and Variations12 minutes
Hospital Liability11 minutes
Insurance Company Liability for the Provision of Substandard Care8 minutes

2 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Evaluating the Medical Malpractice Standard System and Options for Reform10 minutes
Vicarious Liability in the Hospital Setting20 minutes

1 assignment

Week 3 Quiz0 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 30 minutes

Medical Malpractice30 minutes

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.

What's included

5 videos3 readings1 assignment

5 videosTotal 53 minutes

Introduction to Medicare and Medicaid11 minutes
Medicaid8 minutes
Constitutional Structure and the Federal Role in U.S. Health Law13 minutes
Affordable Care Act: Initial Litigation and Ongoing Legal Controversy14 minutes
Conclusion and Review8 minutes

3 readingsTotal 100 minutes

Medicare and Medicaid Basics30 minutes
Summary of the Affordable Care Act45 minutes
Supreme Court Upholds ACA25 minutes

1 assignment

Final Examination0 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(93 ratings)

Theodore Ruger

University of Pennsylvania

2 Courses233,710 learners

Offered by

University of Pennsylvania

Explore more from Healthcare Management

Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Healthcare Law
Specialization
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Intellectual Property in the Healthcare Industry
Course
Status: Preview
The George Washington University
Vaccine Law and Policy
Course
Status: Free
University of Arizona
Medicaid Policy & Politics
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

5 stars
91.76%
4 stars
5.99%
3 stars
1.87%
2 stars
0.37%
1 star
0%

Showing 3 of 267

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2020

Organized and presented incredibly well! The resources provided in the course will be super helpful references.

Reviewed on Sep 12, 2023

This was a very informative course and it forced me to think critically. I enjoy the challenge.

Reviewed on Dec 23, 2020

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.

View more reviews

Unlock access to 10,000+ courses with a subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 4,700 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.