Public Health Law Basics

Webinar | March 23rd, 2023

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These slides are intended for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.

What does law have to do with public health? Everything! It is difficult to overstate the extent to which law affects our everyday work in the field of public health. The law touches every aspect of health care and public health programs, whether it is a federal and/or state law or regulation, or an obligation which has been agreed to in a contract and that requires performance. We explore basic concepts of law that apply to and are encountered in different areas of health care and public health positions.

Topics covered:

  • Health Care Contracting
  • Health Care Licensure
  • Privacy, Confidentiality, and Public Health Surveillance
  • Legal Liability of Health Care Professionals for Negligence
  • Access to Care – Legal Framework of Public Health Benefit Programs

Meet the Expert

Joan Densberger, J.D., LL.M., MPH

is Adjunct Associate Professor of Health Law at BUSPH, where she has been twice awarded the Dean’s “Excellence in Teaching” award. She previously has served as corporate counsel (in-house) to a large health care system in Massachusetts as well as a major HMO in Minnesota. Professor Densberger is currently is employed by the United States Department of Labor as a Program Analyst in the area of health care fraud and abuse. Professor Densberger also holds an academic appointment as Adjunct Professor of Law at Suffolk University Law School.