Lectures 9 and 10: Chapter 3-Powers and Responsibilities of Government

After this lecture, you should be able to answer the following:

1. What is the "interstate commerce provision" of the U.S. Constitution? How is it connected to Public Health?

2. What is the Medicaid Program? Which level of government administers the program?

3. When the Massacusetts legislature passed a law in 1905 requiring all citizens of the state to be immunized for smallpox, who objected? Using this case as an example, explain how courts play a role in "interpreting" the law.

4. What is the Occupational Safety and Health Act? What government agency was established to set standards regulating an employee's exposures to hazardous substances? How did that governmental agency set standards regarding benzene? What was the response from the petrochemical industry? By the way, what is benzene? What can it do to humans?

5. List some of the activities of "local" health departments. What is the source of funds for these activities?

6. List some of the activities of "State" health departments.

7. What is the difference between a Federal Law and a State Law?

8. What is the Department of Health and Human Services? Is that were the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is housed? No? So, where is OSHA housed within the government? What kinds of agencies and services are housed in the HHS department? Who is the current Secretary of HHS?

9. Who is the Health Commissioner of the State of New York? What position did he hold prior to his present one? http://www.health.state.ny.us/commissioner/bio/. Cool web-site!!

10. Please make sure to do the assigned readings and the homework questions for today’s lecture.