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.

An agreement to do something or to allow something to happen, made with complete knowledge of all relevant facts, such as the risks involved or any available alternatives. For example, a patient may give informed consent to medical treatment only after the health care professional has disclosed all possible risks involved in accepting or rejecting the treatment. A health care provider or facility may be held responsible for an injury caused by an undisclosed risk. In another context, a person accused of committing a crime cannot give up his constitutional rights -- for example, to remain silent or to talk with an attorney -- unless and until he has been informed of those rights, usually via the well-known Miranda warnings.

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).