Health Care Law Overview
Health Care Law Resources
Related Practice Areas
Health care aims to prevent and treat illness and disease in order to maintain the physical and mental well-being of individuals. Nearly all industrialized nations provide universal, publicly-funded health care through a national system. The exception is the United States, where health care is largely provided by the private sector, although some public services are available for certain individuals.
State statutes comprise a large portion of law applicable to health care. State health care law ranges from regulation of the health insurance industry to rules governing cases of medical malpractice. State agencies and departments are usually responsible for implementing state health laws and regulations, as well as administering certain federally-funded health care programs.
Show Extended SummaryFeatured Cases 
- GUNVALSON et al v. PTC THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Plaintiffs Cheri and John Gunvalson, parents of Jacob Gunvalson, sought an order requiring Defendant PTC Therapeutics, Inc. to permit Jacob to participate as a protocol exception in the Phase IIa study extension for PTC124 for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Alternatively, Plaintiffs sought an order that Defendant make available PTC124 to Jacob's pediatrician.
New Jersey District Court
Plaintiff
Filed: July 16, 2008
Plaintiff: JACOB GUNVALSON, CHERI AND JOHN GUNVALSON; Defendant: PTC THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Last Docket Report Change Found: April 17, 2009
(April 16, 2009)
Legislation 
- Bill Introduced: S.Con.Res.13 An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional ...
An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2010, revising the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2009, and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2011 through 2014.
(March 25, 2009) - Bill Introduced: H.R.1483 National Neurotechnology Initiative Act
To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, and for other purposes.
(March 10, 2009) - Bill Introduced: S.586 National Neurotechnology Initiative Act
A bill to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, and for other purposes.
(March 10, 2009) - Bill Introduced: S.579 Federal Tobacco Act of 2009
A bill to establish a comprehensive Federal tobacco product regulatory program, to create a Tobacco Regulatory Agency, to prevent use of tobacco products by youth, and to provide protections for adult tobacco product users through the regulation of the tobacco products manufacturing industry.
(March 10, 2009) - Bill Enacted: H.R.1105 Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009
Making omnibus appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes.
March 11, 2009: Became Public Law No: 111-8.
(March 9, 2009)
Regulations 
- Proposed Rule - Medicare Program: Proposed Hospice Wage Index (Fiscal Year 2010)
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Proposed Rule
Medicare Program:
Proposed Hospice Wage Index (Fiscal Year 2010)
,
18912-18970 [E9-9417]
Part IV Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 42 CFR Parts 405 and 418 Medicare Program; Proposed Hospice Wage Index for Fiscal Year 2010; Proposed Rule DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 42 CFR Parts 405 and 418 [CMS-1420-P] RIN 0938-AP45 Medicare Program; Proposed Hospice Wage Index for Fiscal Year 2010 AGENCY: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Proposed rule; request... [read document]
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(April 23, 2009) - Rule - Substances Prohibited From Use in Animal Food or Feed: Confirmation of Effective Date of ...
Food and Drug Administration
Rule
Substances Prohibited From Use in Animal Food or Feed:
Confirmation of Effective Date of Final Rule
,
18626-18628 [E9-9466]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration 21 CFR Part 589 [Docket No. FDA-2002-N-0031] (formerly Docket No. 2002N-0273) RIN 0910-AF46 Substances Prohibited From Use in Animal Food or Feed; Confirmation of Effective Date of Final Rule AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Final rule; confirmation of effective date. SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is confirming the effective date of April 27, 2009, for the final rule that published in the... [read document]
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(April 23, 2009) - Rule - Medicaid Program: Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments; Correcting Amendment
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Rule
Medicaid Program:
Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments; Correcting Amendment
,
18656-18657 [E9-9232]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 42 CFR Parts 447 and 455 [CMS-2198-F2] RIN-0938-AN09 Medicaid Program; Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments; Correcting Amendment AGENCY: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Final rule; correcting amendment. SUMMARY: This correcting amendment corrects a technical error in the regulations text in the final rule published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2008 (73 FR 77904)... [read document]
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(April 23, 2009) - Rule - Oral Dosage Form New Animal Drugs: Fenbendazole Suspension
Food and Drug Administration
Rule
Oral Dosage Form New Animal Drugs:
Fenbendazole Suspension
,
17770 [E9-8822]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration 21 CFR Part 520 [Docket No. FDA-2009-N-0665] Oral Dosage Form New Animal Drugs; Fenbendazole Suspension AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the animal drug regulations to reflect approval of a supplemental new animal drug application (NADA) filed by Intervet, Inc. The supplemental NADA provides for a revised human food safety warning for use... [read document]
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(April 16, 2009) - Proposed Rule - State Parent Locator Service; Safeguarding Child Support Information: Proposed ...
Children and Families Administration
Proposed Rule
State Parent Locator Service; Safeguarding Child Support Information: Proposed Delay of Effective Date
,
17445-17446 [E9-8542]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children and Families 45 CFR Parts 302, 303 and 307 RIN 0970-AC01 State Parent Locator Service; Safeguarding Child Support Information: Proposed Delay of Effective Date AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Department of Heath and Human Services. ACTION: Proposed delay of effective date. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Memorandum of January 20, 2009, from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff entitled... [read document]
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(April 14, 2009)
Government 
- Notice - Meetings: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
National Institutes of Health
Notice
Meetings:
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
,
18730 [E9-9251]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; Notice of Closed Meetings Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given of the following meetings. The meetings will be closed to the public in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended. The grant applications and the... [read document]
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(April 23, 2009) - Notice - Part C Early Intervention Services Grant; Noncompetitive Replacement Award
Health Resources and Services Administration
Notice
Part C Early Intervention Services Grant; Noncompetitive Replacement Award
,
18736 [E9-9382]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Resources and Services Administration Part C Early Intervention Services Grant AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS. ACTION: Notice of Noncompetitive Replacement Award. SUMMARY: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is issuing a non-competitive replacement award of Part C Early Intervention Services funds under Title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act, as amended by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment... [read document]
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(April 23, 2009) - Notice - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
Health Resources and Services Administration
Notice
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
,
18726-18727 [E9-9383]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Resources and Services Administration Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Periodically, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) publishes abstracts of information collection requests under review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). To request a copy of the clearance requests submitted to OMB for... [read document]
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(April 23, 2009) - Notice - Meetings: National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institutes of Health
Notice
Meetings:
National Institute on Drug Abuse
,
18735 [E9-9255]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health National Institute on Drug Abuse; Notice of Closed Meetings Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given of the following meetings. The meetings will be closed to the public in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C. as amended. The contract proposals and the discussions could disclose confidential... [read document]
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(April 23, 2009) - Notice - Meetings: Center for Scientific Review
National Institutes of Health
Notice
Meetings:
Center for Scientific Review
,
18730 [E9-9253]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health Center for Scientific Review; Amended Notice of Meeting Notice is hereby given of a change in the meeting of the Center for Scientific Review Special Emphasis Panel, April 30, 2009, 9 a.m. to May 1, 2009, 5 p.m., National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, which was published in the Federal Register on April 10, 2009, 74 FR 16407-16408. The meeting will be held May 12, 2009 to May 13, 2009. The... [read document]
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(April 23, 2009)
Articles 
- Legal Rights in Human Bodies, Body Parts and Tissue
Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, Vol. 4, pp. 129-133, 2007, U of Melbourne Legal Studies Research Paper No. 389 Loane Skene University of Melbourne - Law School Date Posted: April 24, 2009 Last Revised: April 24, 2009
(April 23, 2009) - Disability, Eugenics, and the Culture Wars
St. Louis Journal of Health Law & Policy, Vol. 2, p. 57, 2009, Georgia State University College of Law, Legal Studies Research Series Paul A. Lombardo Georgia State University - College of Law Date Posted: April 23, 2009 Last Revised: April 23, 2009
(April 22, 2009) - The Devaluation of Life
Vanderbilt Law and Economics Research Paper No. 09-14 W. Kip Viscusi Vanderbilt University - Law School Date Posted: April 23, 2009 Last Revised: April 23, 2009
(April 22, 2009) - Economic Rhetoric: Economics and Literature in Legal Analysis
Bar Ilan Law Studies, Vol. 18, 263 Adi Ayal Bar-Ilan University - Faculty of Law Date Posted: April 23, 2009 Last Revised: April 23, 2009
(April 22, 2009) - Freedom of Transit and Trade in Generic Pharmaceuticals: An Analysis of EU Border Enforcement ...
European Intellectual Property Review, forthcoming Shashank Kumar National Law University, Jodhpur Date Posted: April 16, 2009 Last Revised: April 22, 2009
(April 21, 2009)
News 
- SHOCKER: Nixon campaign got rich off inaugural festivities
Kansas City Star,MO
“There wasn't any particular billing saying it would or would not be used for political purposes,” said Jon Dolan, a former Republican state senator who is executive director of the Missouri Health Care Association. The nursing home industry group gave ...
(April 23, 2009) - EJ Dionne Jr / Syndicated columnist | Whether public or private ...
Seattle Times,United States
The biggest difference between the health-care-reform debate now and the last time around is the emphasis on creative compromise in place of creative obstruction, writes EJ Dionne Jr. Public-plan advocates should stay at the table to keep things moving ...
(April 23, 2009)
ABC News
AP sources: Chrysler could still avoid bankruptcy
The Associated Press
"The kind of deal they need to cut to survive outside of bankruptcy doesn't seem likely," said Douglas Baird, a University of Chicago Law School professor who specializes in bankruptcy cases. He said the debtholders, whose loans are secured by the ...
Video: AP Sources: Chrysler Can Still Avoid Bankruptcy The Associated Press
Chrysler Reportedly Preparing for Bankruptcy Filing Automobile Magazine
Chrysler told to prepare filing Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Salt Lake Tribuneall 3,640 news articles
(April 23, 2009)
Lynchburg News and Advance
Lynchburg Health Care Worker Indicted For Stealing Identities
Rockbridge Weekly,VA
United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley announced today that Karen Priscilla Jones, age 48, of Lynchburg, Virginia, was indicted yesterday by a federal Grand Jury sitting in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in ...
Va. woman charged with stealing elders' identities WVEC.com (subscription)
all 9 news articles
(April 23, 2009)- Budget Bites on Health Care
California Progress Report,CA
Health Access California promotes quality, affordable health care for all Californians. Health Access California is a statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition of over 200 groups. This article has also been published on the Health Access ...
Illegal immigration has many abuses Visalia Times-Delta
all 2 news articles
(April 23, 2009)
Blog Posts 
- Eric Lofholm and Arvee Robinson Continue to Rock
Eric Lofholm and Arvee Robinson continue to provide value in day 2 of seminar....
(April 23, 2009) - Off-Label Prescribing Of Drugs: An Explanation And Some Practical Guidance For Patients
Don't Be Afraid To Talk With Your Doctor About Any Medication You Are Prescribed -- Especially If The Drug Is Being Used As A Treatment NOT Approved By FDA (Posted by Tom Lamb at DrugInjuryWatch.com) Let's start with an informal and short definition of so-called "off-label" prescribing: A drug is being prescribed "off-label" when it has not been approved for treatment of the patient's medical condition and, instead, is being used experimentally. To put this practice into context, we draw from a...
(April 23, 2009) - Epilepsy Drug May Harm Unborn Children
Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, Esquire and Catherine Bertram, Esquire According to the New York Times, a new study found that pregnant women who took a popular epilepsy drug-- valproate, sold generically and under the brand name Depakote-- to treat migraines, pain and psychiatric disorders had children whose I.Q. scores were significantly lower than similar children who were not exposed to the drug. Valporate remains the second-most-popular antiseizure medication used for epilepsy, says the...
(April 22, 2009) - Robert Painter: His Serious and Detailed Criticism of Texas Unilateral Refusal Law
One of the very first witnesses to testify at last Thursday's Texas House State Affairs Committees hearing was attorney Robert Painter. Painter and his firm have represented families that were subject to the 166.046 process. Painter describes some of these cases on a new website cleverly named survivinghospitals.com.Many opponents to the Texas law focus on the bottom line question of who ultimately decides if consensus is not reached. Other opponents make broad and vague attacks on the fairness...
(April 22, 2009) - FDA Approval of Seroquel
The American Association for Justice is following a developing story involving FDA approval of uses of the anti-psychotic drug Seroquel. The FDA has approved the drug for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but AstraZeneca has been marketing the drug to patients suffering from depression and anxiety. AstraZeneca is currently under review by the FDA to have the drug's use expanded to include patients of depression and anxiety. However, many believe that sealed documents with the court could shed...
(April 22, 2009)