health care

The health care reform legislation (Pub. L. 111-148, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 119; Short title, see 42 U.S.C. 18001 note), under review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

A federal statute that allows healthcare coverage on an immediate and contiuning basis for employees who change employers. 

Refers to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (also known as the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986).  A federal statute that allow a person to continue their health insurance coverage past the date upon which they have been terminated from employment.

In health care, a system that collects all medical fees for a pool of people and pays their doctors from a single government source.  The pool of people may be relatively small (e.g., only persons over 65 years of age), or universal (every person in a given jurisdiction). 

health law: an overview

Broadly defined, health law includes the law of public health, health care generally, and medical care specifically. Preserving public health is a primary duty of the state. Health regulations and laws are therefore almost all administered at the state level. Many states delegate authority to subordinate govermental agencies such as boards of health. These boards are created by legislative acts.

Federal health law focuses on the activity of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It administers a wide variety of agencies and programs, like providing financial assistance to needy individuals; conducting medical and scientific research; providing health care and advocacy services; and enforcing laws and regulations related to human services. An important part of the HHS are the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversee the Medicare and Medicaid Programs. Their goal is to ensure that elderly and needy individuals receive proper medical care.