HHS 6958 - Health Services Issues
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 42759,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Nicolette Powe
Email: nwpowe@ysu.edu
Course Description
6958. Health Services Issues. An examination of current philosophical, legal, and ethical issues in healthcare with the inclusion of the role of health professionals in national health policy, and healthcare reform. Prereq.: HHS 6949 or permission of instructor. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | No required book | N/A | N/A |
None - All course content is provided in Blackboard.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Self-Intro & course review 1 | 8/30/26 | |
| 8/31 | Module 1 - Foundations of Health Service Issues, Ethics, and Governance | • Health services in 2026; system fragmentation and reform • Philosophical and ethical foundations • Health law, governance, and professional accountability | 9/20/26 |
| 9/21 | Module 2 - Health Reform, Financing, Insurance, and Pharmaceutical Policy | • ACA legacy, Medicaid reform, and coverage volatility • Financing, insurance, and cost containment • Drug pricing, PBMs, and high-cost therapies | 10/4/26 |
| 10/5 | Module 3 - Managed Care, AI, Prior Authorization, Data Privacy, and Cybersecurity | • Managed care, prior authorization, and administrative burden • AI ethics, algorithmic fairness, and digital health • HIPAA, cybersecurity, privacy, and trust | 10/26/26 |
| 10/26 | Module 4 - Telehealth, State-Level Legal Variation, Reproductive Care, Gender-Affirming Care, and Health Equity | • Telehealth, licensure, and access • Reproductive care and gender-affirming care law • Health equity and structural determinants | 11/15/26 |
| 11/16 | Module 5 - Rural Health, Workforce Well-Being, Prevention, Public Health, and Personal Responsibility | • Rural health, consolidation, and workforce • MAHA, prevention, public health, and liberty | 11/29/26 |
| 11/30 | Module 6 - Policy Lab, Evidence-Based Recommendations, and Professional Communication | • Comprehensive policy lab and presentations • Final paper requirements | 12/6/26 |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.