National Speaker Series – Spring 2021

Mitchell Hamline’s Health Law Institute presented three virtual CLE events in the spring of 2021 covering some of the most important topics in health law.

HEALTH INJUSTICE IN AMERICA: How COVID-19 has illuminated years of inequity and the important role law and policy should play during times of crisis and beyond

Social inequities including race and poverty have a profound impact on health outcomes. Speakers  underscored the dangers of characterizing health disparities as problems of genetics rather than of social determinants, examined the negative impact of race and poverty on health outcomes and discussed how targeted legal and policy interventions for people living in disadvantaged communities can have a positive impact on health outcomes. February 2021

Combatting New & Emerging Health Care Fraud Schemes Through Collaboration & Innovation

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a fertile ground for health care fraud and represents a threat to the integrity of federal health care programs. Speakers highlighted vulnerabilities and underscored the importance of why and how collaborative relationships with government agencies can enhance program integrity efforts. Presenters also highlighted the importance of innovation and the use of data to enhance investigative efforts, analyze productivity and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. March 2021

The Ongoing Opioid Litigation & Its Impact on the Pharmaceutical Industry

The opioid crisis continues to have a profound and devastating impact on the public’s health. The crisis, and the litigation spawned by it, have far reaching impacts for patients and the pharmaceutical industry.  Speakers highlighted the lessons learned from recent cases and settlements, as well as the impact on companies committed to taking an ethical and compliant approach to developing, manufacturing, and marketing of prescription opioid products. April 2021

Growing the Food Law Center

The Center continues to grow and provide outstanding educational programming, including it’s most recent event entitled “Food Transparency: What Is It and Who Defines It?” October 2021. The Institute continues to offer creative, challenging, and cutting edge courses intended to arm students with the skills they need to be successful.

Food Fight: The Art and Science of Foodborne Illness Litigation (Summer 2021)

This course provides students with a solid introduction to the world of product liability, litigation, and cutting-edge issues in food safety. The class is intended to equip students with both the legal fundamentals and the practical aspects of product liability litigation through the lens of foodborne illness cases.

National Student Health Law Writing Competition

2021 marked the second annual Roy Snell Health Care Regulatory & Compliance Writing Competition. Despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition attracted outstanding student participation once again.

All submissions were judged by a panel of independent legal and compliance experts. Neither the entrant’s identity nor academic institution was known to the judges. Top honors were awarded to the following students:

“I encourage everyone interested in health care law and compliance to take on [this] challenge. It not only calls on entrants to reflect on a difficult situation and analyze it legally but also requires you to craft a concise, accurate, and appropriate response for your client. I found myself more engaged in the challenge than I expected, and the real benefit of the competition was how much I learned by participating.” -Laura Cummings

For more information about the upcoming competition in 2022, visit the competition page here.