Response #4 haas

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         The recent actions of interest groups and the effect on the legislative agenda of Congress have changed how congress is run in multiple ways. Here in America we are aware that when a special interest group uses their money to lobby for a change in policy, they have the power to block individuals from being fairly represented by not allowing them to speak and they are not governed by accountability. It is very important that our American leadership stands strong and has viable answers to ensure that, according to the Constitution, the government is working “for the people” as it should be (American progress.org, Sept. 27, 2017).

         Lobbyists have spent more than $6 billion of their resources in 2015 and 16, which is almost equal to how much was spent for federal campaigning in that time frame (American progress.org). When we look at how much Congress spends on their professional staff, it is considerably less than that $6 billion and it should be noted that there are only 20 certified lobbyists included for every member of Congress. Now, this doesn’t include all the non-certified lobbyists or “shadow” lobbyists that have walked right in because of easy registration requirements and the lack of enforcement of rules (American progress, 2017). 22 these facts, the members of Congress are compromised during their campaign because they have accepted donations from these lobbyists and quite often, lobbyists become members of their staff and promote their interests throughout the campaign. This is due to the fact that many lobbyists are retired lawmakers that work for the special interest groups and inundate themselves back into the system (American progress). Finally, the overspending we see in the campaigning process is directly undermining the Constitution and our democratic process (A. P., 2017). We can see that the special interest groups are placing themselves in a position where they can affect congressional decision-making and block legislation that they oppose while attacking the wallets of their wealthy corporate clients (A.P., 2017).

         According to US history.com, we have seen three major interest groups that have significantly changed the face of American politics. These three groups include; animal-rights, environmental interests and public interest groups (2018). We see many other types of interest groups that crop up from the myriad of groups that feel they are not paid enough for their services, these include; the American Bar Association, medical Association and the Federation for teachers (part of the national education Association). As a whole, mainly business and trade corporations create interest groups in order to gain more wealth and power or resources. An example of some of these would be the oil and tobacco industries specifically because they are seen quite often on the steps of the Capitol (2018). These interest groups tried to convince policymakers to go along with their agenda by persuasive actions and measures. These measures include; talking to the media or the press, having direct contact with government officials and lobbying (US history).

         When there is a hearing held in Congress, we see these lobbyists there pushing their agenda and campaigning for government officials to make a change. A recent example of this is when Congress was playing with the idea of trying to make private clubs same-sex organizations. One of these “private clubs” was the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, who wanted their organizations to be same-sex. As we know, now girls and boys can join either organization because of the work of these lobbyists and special interest groups. Many times these special interest groups accuse their influence through being politically involved in active in the campaign process in order to see favor-ability for their position. They also will attempt to elect candidates who are not opposed to their position and are able to defeat their opponents. There is what we call political action committees that are the front runners for the special interest groups and help to protect their mission (US history). 

         There has been a surge in the numbers for political action committees or PAC. This trend started in the early 1970’s during the campaign finance reform laws passing. There is such a thing is campaign donations that are written to the PAC’s, which then will funnel that money directly over to contributions for the campaign of the individual that they selected as a candidate. This has significantly changed the face of the election and campaign process. It is believed that much of the money comes from corporations and businesses in order to influence how American government is run (US history). The general public is allowed to create a public interest group in order to connect themselves to the government and be a persuasive factor during the decision-making process for policy and laws. It is things like this that make American democracy better and upholds the constitutional laws by connecting the people directly to the government and its processes (2018).

         On the other side of the issue, there are those who would like to reduce the power of special interest groups over policymaker’s decisions. There is the suggestion that we being on fund raising for all lobbyists and only allow them to contribute a certain amount per candidate per election. This would help there direct relationship with the campaign process and great that connection for buying “favorable interest” (American process.org). Another suggestion is to ban members of congress from allowing special interest groups to contribute to them during their committees. The United States house of ethics would have to implement new legislation along with the US Senate, so that they can identify who the individual contributors are and to stop funding from wealthy special interest groups on behalf of the American people (American progress). There should be a push for public servants to focus more on the public and not on the special interest groups because of funding. Lawmakers would be the end from accepting a lobbying position for one to five years or possibly permanently. This would stop some of the special interests lobbying that occurs within Congress. Finally, implementing effective policy to fight the corrupting influence of special interest lobbyists depends on an accurate and effective system of lobbyist’s registration according to American progress.org (2017). This would stop one person from enticing another to lobby on their behalf or to stop an individual from continuing to lobby more than once in a two-year period. If this was to have been, the public would better understand where the money is being spent and who is trying to influence the government, making representatives more accountable (American progress, 2017).

         In article 3 of the Constitution states that “the judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as Congress may from time to time ordain and establish” (US courts.gov). I take this to mean that in order to protect the Constitution, we need to control the special interest groups and stop them from influencing policymakers through monetary means. It should not be a point of interest for those who are in Congress to make money, it is their job to protect the interests of the people in the public at large. I believe that the special interest groups should have a voice, however, I do not believe that they should be allowed to persuade members of Congress by giving them donations towards their campaign. Everyone has an opinion, but we need to protect the rights of everyone’s opinion and not just those who have the money to pay for it.

Maybe you could respond to this posting through these questions. Answer in summary or essay type format.

How about at the state level? What are the biggest and most powerful (two or three) interest groups in your state and what area of policy do they influence? Do you think they have too much power? Why or why not? 1/2page

hmgt 372 assignment

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}  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-button-subtle-0[icon] .d2l-button-subtle-content.d2l-button-subtle, .d2l-button-subtle-0[dir=”rtl”][icon] .d2l-button-subtle-content.d2l-button-subtle,.d2l-button-subtle-0 [dir=”rtl”] [icon] .d2l-button-subtle-content.d2l-button-subtle {   padding-left:0;padding-right:1.2rem; }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-button-subtle-0:host([icon]):host([icon-right]) .d2l-button-subtle-content.d2l-button-subtle, .d2l-button-subtle-0[dir=”rtl”]:host([icon]):host([icon-right]) .d2l-button-subtle-content.d2l-button-subtle {   padding-left:1.2rem;padding-right:0; }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-button-subtle-0:host([icon]):host([icon-right]) .d2l-button-subtle-content.d2l-button-subtle, .d2l-button-subtle-0[dir=”rtl”]:host([icon]):host([icon-right]) .d2l-button-subtle-content.d2l-button-subtle,.d2l-button-subtle-0 [dir=”rtl”] :host([icon]):host([icon-right]) .d2l-button-subtle-content.d2l-button-subtle {   padding-left:1.2rem;padding-right:0; }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-button-subtle-0[icon][icon-right] .d2l-button-subtle-content.d2l-button-subtle, .d2l-button-subtle-0[dir=”rtl”][icon][icon-right] .d2l-button-subtle-content.d2l-button-subtle,.d2l-button-subtle-0 [dir=”rtl”] [icon][icon-right] .d2l-button-subtle-content.d2l-button-subtle {   padding-left:1.2rem;padding-right:0; }  .d2l-button-subtle-0 d2l-icon.d2l-button-subtle-icon.d2l-button-subtle {   color:#006fbf;display:none;height:0.9rem;position:absolute;top:50%;transform:translateY(-50%);width:0.9rem; }  .d2l-button-subtle-0[icon] d2l-icon.d2l-button-subtle-icon.d2l-button-subtle {   display:inline-block; }  .d2l-button-subtle-0[icon][icon-right] d2l-icon.d2l-button-subtle-icon.d2l-button-subtle {   right:0.6rem; }  .d2l-button-subtle-0[dir=”rtl”][icon][icon-right] d2l-icon.d2l-button-subtle-icon.d2l-button-subtle {   left:0.6rem;right:auto; }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-button-subtle-0[icon][icon-right] d2l-icon.d2l-button-subtle-icon.d2l-button-subtle, .d2l-button-subtle-0[dir=”rtl”][icon][icon-right] d2l-icon.d2l-button-subtle-icon.d2l-button-subtle,.d2l-button-subtle-0 [dir=”rtl”] [icon][icon-right] d2l-icon.d2l-button-subtle-icon.d2l-button-subtle {   left:0.6rem;right:auto; }  .d2l-button-subtle-0 button[disabled].d2l-button-subtle {   cursor:default;opacity:0.5; }  d2l-menu-item {   background-color:#ffffff;box-sizing:border-box;cursor:pointer;display:block;font-size:0.8rem;outline:none;width:100%; }  d2l-menu-item[disabled],d2l-menu-item[disabled]:hover,d2l-menu-item[disabled]:focus {   cursor:default;opacity:0.75; }  d2l-menu-item[hidden] {   display:none; }  d2l-menu-item {   display:flex;padding:0.75rem 1rem; }  d2l-menu-item > span.d2l-menu-item {   flex:auto;line-height:1rem;overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap; }  d2l-menu-item > d2l-icon.d2l-menu-item {   flex:none;margin-top:0.1rem; }  d2l-menu-item-separator {   display:block; }  d2l-menu-item-return {   background-color:#ffffff;box-sizing:border-box;cursor:pointer;display:block;font-size:0.8rem;outline:none;width:100%; }  d2l-menu-item-return[disabled],d2l-menu-item-return[disabled]:hover,d2l-menu-item-return[disabled]:focus {   cursor:default;opacity:0.75; }  d2l-menu-item-return[hidden] {   display:none; }  d2l-menu-item-return {   display:flex;padding:0.75rem 1rem; }  d2l-menu-item-return > span.d2l-menu-item-return {   flex:auto;line-height:1rem;overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:hidden;text-decoration:none;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap; }  d2l-menu-item-return > d2l-icon.d2l-menu-item-return {   flex:none;margin-right:1rem;margin-top:0.1rem; }  [dir=”rtl”] d2l-menu-item-return > d2l-icon.d2l-menu-item-return, d2l-menu-item-return[dir=”rtl”] > d2l-icon.d2l-menu-item-return {   margin-right:0;margin-left:1rem; }  [dir=”rtl”] d2l-menu-item-return > d2l-icon.d2l-menu-item-return, d2l-menu-item-return[dir=”rtl”] > d2l-icon.d2l-menu-item-return,d2l-menu-item-return [dir=”rtl”]  > d2l-icon.d2l-menu-item-return {   margin-right:0;margin-left:1rem; }  .d2l-menu-0 {   box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-block;position:relative;left:0;overflow:hidden;width:100%;-webkit-transition:height 300ms linear;transition:height 300ms linear; }  .d2l-menu-0[child-view] {   display:none;position:absolute;top:0;left:100%; }  .d2l-menu-0[shown] {   display:inline-block; }  .d2l-menu-0 .d2l-hierarchical-view-content.d2l-child-view-show.d2l-menu {   -webkit-animation:show-child-view-animation-d2l-menu-0 forwards 300ms linear;animation:show-child-view-animation-d2l-menu-0 300ms forwards linear; }  .d2l-menu-0 .d2l-hierarchical-view-content.d2l-child-view-hide.d2l-menu {   -webkit-animation:hide-child-view-animation-d2l-menu-0 forwards 300ms linear;animation:hide-child-view-animation-d2l-menu-0 300ms forwards linear; }  @keyframes show-child-view-animation-d2l-menu-0 { 0% {   transform:translate(0,0); }  100% {   transform:translate(-100%,0); }  }  @-webkit-keyframes show-child-view-animation-d2l-menu-0 { 0% {   -webkit-transform:translate(0,0); }  100% {   -webkit-transform:translate(-100%,0); }  }  @keyframes hide-child-view-animation-d2l-menu-0 { 0% {   transform:translate(-100%,0); }  100% {   transform:translate(0,0); }  }  @-webkit-keyframes hide-child-view-animation-d2l-menu-0 { 0% {   -webkit-transform:translate(-100%,0); }  100% {   -webkit-transform:translate(0,0); }  }  .d2l-menu-0 {   box-sizing:border-box;display:block;width:100%;padding-top:1px; }  .d2l-menu-0[active] .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu d2l-menu-item-return[role=”menuitem”].d2l-menu,.d2l-menu-0[active] .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > [role=”menuitem”],.d2l-menu-0[active] .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > [role=”menuitemcheckbox”],.d2l-menu-0[active] .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > [role=”menuitemradio”] {   position:relative; }  .d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu d2l-menu-item-return[role=”menuitem”].d2l-menu,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > [role=”menuitem”],.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > [role=”menuitemcheckbox”],.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > [role=”menuitemradio”] {   margin-top:-1px;border:1px solid transparent;border-top-color:#e6eaf0;color:#565a5c; }  .d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu d2l-menu-item-return[role=”menuitem”].d2l-menu,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > .d2l-menu-item-first[role=”menuitem”],.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > .d2l-menu-item-first[role=”menuitemcheckbox”],.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > .d2l-menu-item-first[role=”menuitemradio”] {   border-top-color:transparent; }  .d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu d2l-menu-item-return[role=”menuitem”].d2l-menu:focus,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu d2l-menu-item-return[role=”menuitem”].d2l-menu:hover,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > [role=”menuitem”]:focus,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > [role=”menuitem”]:hover,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > [role=”menuitemcheckbox”]:focus,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > [role=”menuitemcheckbox”]:hover,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > [role=”menuitemradio”]:focus,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > [role=”menuitemradio”]:hover,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > .d2l-menu-item-first[role=”menuitem”]:focus,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > .d2l-menu-item-first[role=”menuitem”]:hover,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > .d2l-menu-item-first[role=”menuitemcheckbox”]:focus,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > .d2l-menu-item-first[role=”menuitemcheckbox”]:hover,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > .d2l-menu-item-first[role=”menuitemradio”]:focus,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > .d2l-menu-item-first[role=”menuitemradio”]:hover {   z-index:2;background-color:#e8f2f9;border-top:1px solid #29a6ff;border-bottom:1px solid #29a6ff;color:#006fbf; }  .d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > .d2l-menu-item-last[role=”menuitem”]:focus,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > .d2l-menu-item-last[role=”menuitem”]:hover,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > .d2l-menu-item-last[role=”menuitemcheckbox”]:focus,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > .d2l-menu-item-last[role=”menuitemcheckbox”]:hover,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > .d2l-menu-item-last[role=”menuitemradio”]:focus,.d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > .d2l-menu-item-last[role=”menuitemradio”]:hover {   border-bottom-color:#29a6ff; }  .d2l-menu-0 .d2l-menu-items.d2l-menu > d2l-menu-item-separator {   position:relative;z-index:1;margin-top:-1px;border-top:1px solid #b9c2d0; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1 {   box-sizing:border-box;color:#565a5c;display:none;left:0;position:absolute;text-align:left;top:calc(100% + 12px);width:100%;z-index:1000; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1[opened] {   display:inline-block; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1[opened] {   -webkit-animation:d2l-dropdown-animation-d2l-dropdown-menu-1 300ms ease;animation:d2l-dropdown-animation-d2l-dropdown-menu-1 300ms ease; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1[opened-above] {   bottom:calc(100% + 12px);top:auto;-webkit-animation:d2l-dropdown-above-animation-d2l-dropdown-menu-1 300ms ease;animation:d2l-dropdown-above-animation-d2l-dropdown-menu-1 300ms ease; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-pointer.d2l-dropdown-menu {   position:absolute;display:inline-block;clip:rect(-5px, 21px, 8px, -7px);top:-7px;left:calc(50% – 7px);z-index:1; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-pointer.d2l-dropdown-menu > div.d2l-dropdown-menu {   background-color:#ffffff;border:1px solid #d3d9e3;border-radius:0.1rem;box-shadow:-4px -4px 12px -5px rgba(86, 90, 92, .2);height:16px;width:16px;transform:rotate(45deg);-webkit-transform:rotate(45deg); }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1[opened-above] .d2l-dropdown-content-pointer.d2l-dropdown-menu {   top:auto;clip:rect(9px, 21px, 22px, -3px);bottom:-8px; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1[opened-above] .d2l-dropdown-content-pointer.d2l-dropdown-menu > div.d2l-dropdown-menu {   box-shadow:4px 4px 12px -5px rgba(86, 90, 92, .2); }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1[no-pointer] .d2l-dropdown-content-pointer.d2l-dropdown-menu {   display:none; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-position.d2l-dropdown-menu {   border-radius:0.3rem;display:inline-block;position:absolute; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-width.d2l-dropdown-menu {   background-color:#ffffff;border:1px solid #d3d9e3;border-radius:0.3rem;box-shadow:0 2px 12px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);box-sizing:border-box;min-width:70px;max-width:370px;position:absolute;width:100vw; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1[opened-above] .d2l-dropdown-content-width.d2l-dropdown-menu {   bottom:100%; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-container.d2l-dropdown-menu {   box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-block;max-width:100%;outline:none;padding:1rem; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1[no-padding] .d2l-dropdown-content-container.d2l-dropdown-menu {   padding:0; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-top.d2l-dropdown-menu,.d2l-dropdown-menu-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-bottom.d2l-dropdown-menu {   height:5px;position:relative;z-index:1; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-top.d2l-dropdown-menu {   border-top-left-radius:0.3rem;border-top-right-radius:0.3rem; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-bottom.d2l-dropdown-menu {   border-bottom-left-radius:0.3rem;border-bottom-right-radius:0.3rem; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-top-scroll.d2l-dropdown-menu {   box-shadow:0 3px 3px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-bottom-scroll.d2l-dropdown-menu {   box-shadow:0 -3px 3px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-dropdown-menu-1, .d2l-dropdown-menu-1[dir=”rtl”] {   left:auto;right:0;text-align:right; }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-dropdown-menu-1, .d2l-dropdown-menu-1[dir=”rtl”] {   left:auto;right:0;text-align:right; }  @keyframes d2l-dropdown-animation-d2l-dropdown-menu-1 { 0% {   transform:translate(0,-10px);opacity:0; }  100% {   transform:translate(0,0);opacity:1; }  }  @keyframes d2l-dropdown-above-animation-d2l-dropdown-menu-1 { 0% {   transform:translate(0,10px);opacity:0; }  100% {   transform:translate(0,0);opacity:1; }  }  @-webkit-keyframes d2l-dropdown-animation-d2l-dropdown-menu-1 { 0% {   -webkit-transform:translate(0,-10px);opacity:0; }  100% {   -webkit-transform:translate(0,0);opacity:1; }  }  @-webkit-keyframes d2l-dropdown-above-animation-d2l-dropdown-menu-1 { 0% {   -webkit-transform:translate(0,10px);opacity:0; }  100% {   -webkit-transform:translate(0,0);opacity:1; }  } .d2l-dropdown-menu-0 {   box-sizing:border-box;color:#565a5c;display:none;left:0;position:absolute;text-align:left;top:calc(100% + 20px);width:100%;z-index:1000; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0[opened] {   display:inline-block; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0[opened] {   -webkit-animation:d2l-dropdown-animation-d2l-dropdown-menu-0 300ms ease;animation:d2l-dropdown-animation-d2l-dropdown-menu-0 300ms ease; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0[opened-above] {   bottom:calc(100% + 20px);top:auto;-webkit-animation:d2l-dropdown-above-animation-d2l-dropdown-menu-0 300ms ease;animation:d2l-dropdown-above-animation-d2l-dropdown-menu-0 300ms ease; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0 .d2l-dropdown-content-pointer.d2l-dropdown-menu {   position:absolute;display:inline-block;clip:rect(-5px, 21px, 8px, -7px);top:-7px;left:calc(50% – 7px);z-index:1; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0 .d2l-dropdown-content-pointer.d2l-dropdown-menu > div.d2l-dropdown-menu {   background-color:#ffffff;border:1px solid #d3d9e3;border-radius:0.1rem;box-shadow:-4px -4px 12px -5px rgba(86, 90, 92, .2);height:16px;width:16px;transform:rotate(45deg);-webkit-transform:rotate(45deg); }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0[opened-above] .d2l-dropdown-content-pointer.d2l-dropdown-menu {   top:auto;clip:rect(9px, 21px, 22px, -3px);bottom:-8px; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0[opened-above] .d2l-dropdown-content-pointer.d2l-dropdown-menu > div.d2l-dropdown-menu {   box-shadow:4px 4px 12px -5px rgba(86, 90, 92, .2); }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0[no-pointer] .d2l-dropdown-content-pointer.d2l-dropdown-menu {   display:none; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0 .d2l-dropdown-content-position.d2l-dropdown-menu {   border-radius:0.3rem;display:inline-block;position:absolute; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0 .d2l-dropdown-content-width.d2l-dropdown-menu {   background-color:#ffffff;border:1px solid #d3d9e3;border-radius:0.3rem;box-shadow:0 2px 12px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);box-sizing:border-box;min-width:70px;max-width:370px;position:absolute;width:100vw; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0[opened-above] .d2l-dropdown-content-width.d2l-dropdown-menu {   bottom:100%; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0 .d2l-dropdown-content-container.d2l-dropdown-menu {   box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-block;max-width:100%;outline:none;padding:1rem; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0[no-padding] .d2l-dropdown-content-container.d2l-dropdown-menu {   padding:0; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0 .d2l-dropdown-content-top.d2l-dropdown-menu,.d2l-dropdown-menu-0 .d2l-dropdown-content-bottom.d2l-dropdown-menu {   height:5px;position:relative;z-index:1; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0 .d2l-dropdown-content-top.d2l-dropdown-menu {   border-top-left-radius:0.3rem;border-top-right-radius:0.3rem; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0 .d2l-dropdown-content-bottom.d2l-dropdown-menu {   border-bottom-left-radius:0.3rem;border-bottom-right-radius:0.3rem; }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0 .d2l-dropdown-content-top-scroll.d2l-dropdown-menu {   box-shadow:0 3px 3px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); }  .d2l-dropdown-menu-0 .d2l-dropdown-content-bottom-scroll.d2l-dropdown-menu {   box-shadow:0 -3px 3px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-dropdown-menu-0, .d2l-dropdown-menu-0[dir=”rtl”] {   left:auto;right:0;text-align:right; }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-dropdown-menu-0, .d2l-dropdown-menu-0[dir=”rtl”] {   left:auto;right:0;text-align:right; }  @keyframes d2l-dropdown-animation-d2l-dropdown-menu-0 { 0% {   transform:translate(0,-10px);opacity:0; }  100% {   transform:translate(0,0);opacity:1; }  }  @keyframes d2l-dropdown-above-animation-d2l-dropdown-menu-0 { 0% {   transform:translate(0,10px);opacity:0; }  100% {   transform:translate(0,0);opacity:1; }  }  @-webkit-keyframes d2l-dropdown-animation-d2l-dropdown-menu-0 { 0% {   -webkit-transform:translate(0,-10px);opacity:0; }  100% {   -webkit-transform:translate(0,0);opacity:1; }  }  @-webkit-keyframes d2l-dropdown-above-animation-d2l-dropdown-menu-0 { 0% {   -webkit-transform:translate(0,10px);opacity:0; }  100% {   -webkit-transform:translate(0,0);opacity:1; }  }  d2l-menu-item-link {   background-color:#ffffff;box-sizing:border-box;cursor:pointer;display:block;font-size:0.8rem;outline:none;width:100%; }  d2l-menu-item-link[disabled],d2l-menu-item-link[disabled]:hover,d2l-menu-item-link[disabled]:focus {   cursor:default;opacity:0.75; }  d2l-menu-item-link[hidden] {   display:none; }  d2l-menu-item-link {   display:block;padding:0; }  d2l-menu-item-link > a.d2l-menu-item-link {   color:inherit;display:block;line-height:1rem;outline:none;overflow-x:hidden;padding:0.75rem 1rem;text-decoration:none;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap; }  d2l-dropdown {   display:inline-block;outline:none;overflow:visible;position:relative; }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1 {   box-sizing:border-box;color:#565a5c;display:none;left:0;position:absolute;text-align:left;top:calc(100% + 0px);width:100%;z-index:1000; }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1[opened] {   display:inline-block; }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1[opened] {   -webkit-animation:d2l-dropdown-animation-d2l-dropdown-content-1 300ms ease;animation:d2l-dropdown-animation-d2l-dropdown-content-1 300ms ease; }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1[opened-above] {   bottom:calc(100% + 0px);top:auto;-webkit-animation:d2l-dropdown-above-animation-d2l-dropdown-content-1 300ms ease;animation:d2l-dropdown-above-animation-d2l-dropdown-content-1 300ms ease; }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-pointer.d2l-dropdown-content {   position:absolute;display:inline-block;clip:rect(-5px, 21px, 8px, -7px);top:-7px;left:calc(50% – 7px);z-index:1; }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-pointer.d2l-dropdown-content > div.d2l-dropdown-content {   background-color:#ffffff;border:1px solid #d3d9e3;border-radius:0.1rem;box-shadow:-4px -4px 12px -5px rgba(86, 90, 92, .2);height:16px;width:16px;transform:rotate(45deg);-webkit-transform:rotate(45deg); }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1[opened-above] .d2l-dropdown-content-pointer.d2l-dropdown-content {   top:auto;clip:rect(9px, 21px, 22px, -3px);bottom:-8px; }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1[opened-above] .d2l-dropdown-content-pointer.d2l-dropdown-content > div.d2l-dropdown-content {   box-shadow:4px 4px 12px -5px rgba(86, 90, 92, .2); }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1[no-pointer] .d2l-dropdown-content-pointer.d2l-dropdown-content {   display:none; }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-position.d2l-dropdown-content {   border-radius:0.3rem;display:inline-block;position:absolute; }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-width.d2l-dropdown-content {   background-color:#ffffff;border:1px solid #d3d9e3;border-radius:0.3rem;box-shadow:0 2px 12px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);box-sizing:border-box;min-width:70px;max-width:370px;position:absolute;width:100vw; }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1[opened-above] .d2l-dropdown-content-width.d2l-dropdown-content {   bottom:100%; }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-container.d2l-dropdown-content {   box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-block;max-width:100%;outline:none;padding:1rem; }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1[no-padding] .d2l-dropdown-content-container.d2l-dropdown-content {   padding:0; }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-top.d2l-dropdown-content,.d2l-dropdown-content-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-bottom.d2l-dropdown-content {   height:5px;position:relative;z-index:1; }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-top.d2l-dropdown-content {   border-top-left-radius:0.3rem;border-top-right-radius:0.3rem; }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-bottom.d2l-dropdown-content {   border-bottom-left-radius:0.3rem;border-bottom-right-radius:0.3rem; }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-top-scroll.d2l-dropdown-content {   box-shadow:0 3px 3px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); }  .d2l-dropdown-content-1 .d2l-dropdown-content-bottom-scroll.d2l-dropdown-content {   box-shadow:0 -3px 3px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-dropdown-content-1, .d2l-dropdown-content-1[dir=”rtl”] {   left:auto;right:0;text-align:right; }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-dropdown-content-1, .d2l-dropdown-content-1[dir=”rtl”] {   left:auto;right:0;text-align:right; }  @keyframes d2l-dropdown-animation-d2l-dropdown-content-1 { 0% {   transform:translate(0,-10px);opacity:0; }  100% {   transform:translate(0,0);opacity:1; }  }  @keyframes d2l-dropdown-above-animation-d2l-dropdown-content-1 { 0% {   transform:translate(0,10px);opacity:0; }  100% {   transform:translate(0,0);opacity:1; }  }  @-webkit-keyframes d2l-dropdown-animation-d2l-dropdown-content-1 { 0% {   -webkit-transform:translate(0,-10px);opacity:0; }  100% {   -webkit-transform:translate(0,0);opacity:1; }  }  @-webkit-keyframes d2l-dropdown-above-animation-d2l-dropdown-content-1 { 0% {   -webkit-transform:translate(0,10px);opacity:0; }  100% {   -webkit-transform:translate(0,0);opacity:1; }  }  d2l-dropdown-button-subtle {   display:inline-block;outline:none;overflow:visible;position:relative; }  d2l-dropdown-more {   display:inline-block;outline:none;overflow:visible;position:relative; }  d2l-dropdown-more[d2l-visible-on-ancestor-init] {   visibility:hidden; }  d2l-dropdown-more[d2l-visible-on-ancestor-transition] {   transition:transform 200ms ease-out, opacity 200ms ease-out !important; }  d2l-dropdown-more[d2l-visible-on-ancestor-hide] {   opacity:0 !important;transform:translateY(-10px) !important; }  @media only screen and (hover: none), only screen and (-moz-touch-enabled: 1) { d2l-dropdown-more[d2l-visible-on-ancestor-hide] {   opacity:1 !important;transform:translateY(0px) !important; }  d2l-dropdown-more[d2l-visible-on-ancestor-hide][d2l-visible-on-ancestor-no-hover-hide] {   opacity:0 !important;transform:translateY(-10px) !important; }  }  d2l-dropdown-more {   display:inline-block; }  iron-a11y-announcer {   display:inline-block;position:fixed;clip:rect(0px,0px,0px,0px); }  iron-input {   display:inline-block; }  .shown.d2l-course-image {   opacity:1; }  img.d2l-course-image {   object-fit:cover;object-position:center;height:100%;width:100%;opacity:0;transition:opacity 0.5s; }  iron-scroll-threshold {   display:block; }  d2l-sticky-element {   position:-webkit-sticky;position:sticky;top:0;z-index:4;line-height:0; }  d2l-table-wrapper {   background-color:transparent;display:block;width:100%; }  d2l-table {   background-color:transparent;display:block;width:100%; }  d2l-rubric-criteria-groups {   display:block; }  d2l-rubric-criteria-group.d2l-rubric-criteria-groups {   padding-bottom:24px; }  d2l-alert-toast {   display:block; }  d2l-alert-toast .d2l-alert-toast-container.d2l-alert-toast {   display:none; }  d2l-alert-toast[open] .d2l-alert-toast-container.d2l-alert-toast {   border-radius:0.3rem;bottom:1rem;box-shadow:0 0.1rem 0.6rem 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.10);display:block;left:0;margin:0 auto;max-width:710px;opacity:0;position:fixed;right:0;transition-duration:250ms;transition-property:transform, opacity, visibility;transition-timing-function:ease-in;transform:translateY(0);visibility:hidden;width:100%;z-index:10000; }  d2l-alert-toast[open] .d2l-alert-toast-container.d2l-alert-toast-container-opened.d2l-alert-toast {   opacity:1;transform:translateY(-0.5rem);visibility:visible; }  d2l-dropdown-button {   display:inline-block;outline:none;overflow:visible;position:relative; }  d2l-dropdown-button d2l-icon.d2l-dropdown-button {   height:0.8rem;width:0.8rem; }  d2l-dropdown-button .d2l-dropdown-button-text.d2l-dropdown-button {   margin-right:0.6rem; }  d2l-dropdown-button[primary] d2l-icon.d2l-dropdown-button {   color:white; }  [dir=”rtl”] d2l-dropdown-button .d2l-dropdown-button-text.d2l-dropdown-button, d2l-dropdown-button[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-dropdown-button-text.d2l-dropdown-button {   margin-left:0.6rem;margin-right:0; }  [dir=”rtl”] d2l-dropdown-button .d2l-dropdown-button-text.d2l-dropdown-button, d2l-dropdown-button[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-dropdown-button-text.d2l-dropdown-button,d2l-dropdown-button [dir=”rtl”]  .d2l-dropdown-button-text.d2l-dropdown-button {   margin-left:0.6rem;margin-right:0; }  d2l-button-group-menu[mini] .d2l-dropdown-opener.d2l-button-group-menu {   padding-left:0.5rem;padding-right:0.5rem; }  d2l-button-group {   display:block; }  d2l-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-button-group {   display:flex;flex:0 1 auto;flex-wrap:wrap; }  d2l-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-button-group > d2l-button,d2l-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-button-group > d2l-button-subtle,d2l-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-button-group > d2l-button-icon,d2l-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-button-group > d2l-link,d2l-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-button-group > span,d2l-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-button-group > d2l-dropdown,d2l-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-button-group > d2l-dropdown-button,d2l-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-button-group > .d2l-button-group-custom-item {   margin-right:0.75rem; }  d2l-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-button-group > [chomped] {   display:none !important; }  d2l-button-subtle-group-menu[mini] .d2l-dropdown-opener.d2l-button-subtle-group-menu {   padding-left:0.5rem;padding-right:0.5rem; }  d2l-action-button-group {   display:block; }  d2l-action-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-action-button-group {   display:flex;flex:0 1 auto;flex-wrap:wrap; }  d2l-action-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-action-button-group > d2l-button,d2l-action-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-action-button-group > d2l-button-subtle,d2l-action-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-action-button-group > d2l-button-icon,d2l-action-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-action-button-group > d2l-link,d2l-action-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-action-button-group > span,d2l-action-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-action-button-group > d2l-dropdown,d2l-action-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-action-button-group > d2l-dropdown-button,d2l-action-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-action-button-group > .d2l-button-group-custom-item {   margin-right:0.75rem; }  d2l-action-button-group .d2l-button-group-container.d2l-action-button-group > [chomped] {   display:none !important; }  d2l-dropdown-context-menu {   display:inline-block;outline:none;overflow:visible;position:relative; }  d2l-dropdown-context-menu[d2l-visible-on-ancestor-init] {   visibility:hidden; }  d2l-dropdown-context-menu[d2l-visible-on-ancestor-transition] {   transition:transform 200ms ease-out, opacity 200ms ease-out !important; }  d2l-dropdown-context-menu[d2l-visible-on-ancestor-hide] {   opacity:0 !important;transform:translateY(-10px) !important; }  @media only screen and (hover: none), only screen and (-moz-touch-enabled: 1) { d2l-dropdown-context-menu[d2l-visible-on-ancestor-hide] {   opacity:1 !important;transform:translateY(0px) !important; }  d2l-dropdown-context-menu[d2l-visible-on-ancestor-hide][d2l-visible-on-ancestor-no-hover-hide] {   opacity:0 !important;transform:translateY(-10px) !important; }  }  d2l-dropdown-context-menu {   display:inline-block; }  .d2l-input-search-0 {   ; }  .d2l-input-search-0 input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search,.d2l-input-search-0 input[type=”search”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search,.d2l-input-search-0 input[type=”tel”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search,.d2l-input-search-0 input[type=”url”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search,.d2l-input-search-0 input[type=”email”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search,.d2l-input-search-0 input[type=”password”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search,.d2l-input-search-0 input[type=”number”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search {   border-radius:0.3rem;border-style:solid;box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-block;margin:0;min-width:calc(2rem + 1em);vertical-align:middle;width:100%;transition:background-color 0.5s ease, border-color 0.5s ease;color:#565a5c;font-size:0.8rem;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0.02rem;line-height:1.2rem;min-height:calc(2rem + 2px);background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#d3d9e3;border-width:1px;box-shadow:inset 0 2px 0 0 rgba(185, 194, 208, .2);padding:0.4rem 0.75rem;height:auto; }  .d2l-input-search-0 textarea.d2l-input.d2l-input-search {   border-radius:0.3rem;border-style:solid;box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-block;margin:0;min-width:calc(2rem + 1em);vertical-align:middle;width:100%;transition:background-color 0.5s ease, border-color 0.5s ease;color:#565a5c;font-size:0.8rem;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0.02rem;line-height:1.2rem;min-height:calc(2rem + 2px);background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#d3d9e3;border-width:1px;box-shadow:inset 0 2px 0 0 rgba(185, 194, 208, .2);padding:0.4rem 0.75rem;height:auto;; }  .d2l-input-search-0 input.d2l-input.d2l-input-search::placeholder,.d2l-input-search-0 textarea.d2l-input.d2l-input-search::placeholder {   color:#d3d9e3;font-size:0.8rem;font-weight:400; }  .d2l-input-search-0 input.d2l-input.d2l-input-search::-webkit-input-placeholder,.d2l-input-search-0 textarea.d2l-input.d2l-input-search::-webkit-input-placeholder {   color:#d3d9e3;font-size:0.8rem;font-weight:400; }  .d2l-input-search-0 input.d2l-input.d2l-input-search::-moz-placeholder,.d2l-input-search-0 textarea.d2l-input.d2l-input-search::-moz-placeholder {   color:#d3d9e3;font-size:0.8rem;font-weight:400; }  .d2l-input-search-0 input.d2l-input.d2l-input-search:-ms-input-placeholder,.d2l-input-search-0 textarea.d2l-input.d2l-input-search:-ms-input-placeholder {   color:#d3d9e3;font-size:0.8rem;font-weight:400;font-size:0.8rem; }  .d2l-input-search-0 input.d2l-input.d2l-input-search:hover:disabled,.d2l-input-search-0 textarea.d2l-input.d2l-input-search:hover:disabled {   background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#d3d9e3;border-width:1px;box-shadow:inset 0 2px 0 0 rgba(185, 194, 208, .2);padding:0.4rem 0.75rem; }  .d2l-input-search-0 input.d2l-input.d2l-input-search:hover,.d2l-input-search-0 input.d2l-input.d2l-input-search:focus,.d2l-input-search-0 textarea.d2l-input.d2l-input-search:hover,.d2l-input-search-0 textarea.d2l-input.d2l-input-search:focus {   border-color:#006fbf;border-width:2px;outline-style:none;outline-width:0;padding:calc(0.4rem – 1px) calc(0.75rem – 1px); }  .d2l-input-search-0 input.d2l-input[aria-invalid=’true’].d2l-input-search,.d2l-input-search-0 input.d2l-input.d2l-input-search:invalid,.d2l-input-search-0 textarea.d2l-input[aria-invalid=’true’].d2l-input-search,.d2l-input-search-0 textarea.d2l-input.d2l-input-search:invalid {   border-color:#cd2026; }  .d2l-input-search-0 input.d2l-input.d2l-input-search:disabled,.d2l-input-search-0 textarea.d2l-input.d2l-input-search:disabled {   opacity:0.5; }  .d2l-input-search-0 input.d2l-input.d2l-input-search::-webkit-search-cancel-button {   display:none; }  .d2l-input-search-0 input.d2l-input.d2l-input-search::-ms-clear {   display:none;width:0;height:0; }  .d2l-input-search-0 {   display:inline-block;position:relative;width:100%; }  .d2l-input-search-0 input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search {   font-family:inherit;padding-right:2.4rem;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap; }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-input-search-0 input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search, .d2l-input-search-0[dir=”rtl”] input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search {   padding-right:0.75rem;padding-left:2.4rem; }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-input-search-0 input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search, .d2l-input-search-0[dir=”rtl”] input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search,.d2l-input-search-0 [dir=”rtl”]  input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search {   padding-right:0.75rem;padding-left:2.4rem; }  .d2l-input-search-0 .d2l-input-search-hover.d2l-input-search input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search,.d2l-input-search-0 .d2l-input-search-focus.d2l-input-search input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search {   border-color:#006fbf;border-width:2px;outline-style:none;outline-width:0;padding:calc(0.4rem – 1px) calc(0.75rem – 1px);padding-right:calc(2.4rem – 1px); }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-input-search-0 input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search:hover, .d2l-input-search-0[dir=”rtl”] input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search:hover,[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-input-search-0 input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search:focus, .d2l-input-search-0[dir=”rtl”] input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search:focus,[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-input-search-0 .d2l-input-search-hover.d2l-input-search input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search, .d2l-input-search-0[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-input-search-hover.d2l-input-search input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search,[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-input-search-0 .d2l-input-search-focus.d2l-input-search input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search, .d2l-input-search-0[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-input-search-focus.d2l-input-search input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search {   padding-right:calc(0.75rem – 1px);padding-left:calc(2.4rem – 1px); }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-input-search-0 input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search:hover, .d2l-input-search-0[dir=”rtl”] input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search:hover,.d2l-input-search-0 [dir=”rtl”]  input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search:hover,[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-input-search-0 input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search:focus, .d2l-input-search-0[dir=”rtl”] input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search:focus,.d2l-input-search-0 [dir=”rtl”]  input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search:focus,[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-input-search-0 .d2l-input-search-hover.d2l-input-search input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search, .d2l-input-search-0[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-input-search-hover.d2l-input-search input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search,.d2l-input-search-0 [dir=”rtl”]  .d2l-input-search-hover.d2l-input-search input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search,[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-input-search-0 .d2l-input-search-focus.d2l-input-search input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search, .d2l-input-search-0[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-input-search-focus.d2l-input-search input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search,.d2l-input-search-0 [dir=”rtl”]  .d2l-input-search-focus.d2l-input-search input[type=”text”].d2l-input.d2l-input-search {   padding-right:calc(0.75rem – 1px);padding-left:calc(2.4rem – 1px); }  .d2l-input-search-0 d2l-button-icon.d2l-input-search {   ;position:absolute;height:1.7rem;width:1.7rem;top:0.2rem;right:0.2rem; }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-input-search-0 d2l-button-icon.d2l-input-search, .d2l-input-search-0[dir=”rtl”] d2l-button-icon.d2l-input-search {   left:0.2rem;right:auto; }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-input-search-0 d2l-button-icon.d2l-input-search, .d2l-input-search-0[dir=”rtl”] d2l-button-icon.d2l-input-search,.d2l-input-search-0 [dir=”rtl”]  d2l-button-icon.d2l-input-search {   left:0.2rem;right:auto; }  .d2l-input-search-0 d2l-button-icon[hidden].d2l-input-search {   display:none; }  .d2l-navigation-band-0 {   border-top-color:#a30606;border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:4px;display:block; }  .d2l-navigation-0 {   ; }  .d2l-navigation-0 .d2l-navigation-centerer.d2l-navigation {   margin:0 auto;max-width:1230px; }  .d2l-navigation-0 .d2l-navigation-gutters.d2l-navigation {   padding-left:2.439%;padding-right:2.439%;position:relative; }  @media (max-width: 615px) { .d2l-navigation-0 .d2l-navigation-gutters.d2l-navigation {   padding-left:15px;padding-right:15px; }  }  @media (min-width: 1230px) { .d2l-navigation-0 .d2l-navigation-gutters.d2l-navigation {   padding-left:30px;padding-right:30px; }  }  .d2l-navigation-0 .d2l-navigation-shadow-gradient.d2l-navigation {   background:linear-gradient(to bottom,  rgba(249,250,251,1) 0%,rgba(249,250,251,0) 100%);bottom:-150px;display:block;height:150px;width:100%;pointer-events:none;position:absolute;z-index:-100; }  .d2l-navigation-0 {   display:block;position:relative; }  .d2l-navigation-0 .d2l-navigation-shadow-drop-border.d2l-navigation {   background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.02);bottom:-4px;height:4px;pointer-events:none;position:absolute;width:100%; }  .d2l-navigation-button-1 {   ; }  .d2l-navigation-button-1 {   display:inline-block;height:100%; }  .d2l-navigation-button-1 button.d2l-navigation-button::-moz-focus-inner {   border:0; }  .d2l-navigation-button-1 button.d2l-navigation-button > * {   pointer-events:none; }  .d2l-navigation-button-1 button.d2l-navigation-button:hover,.d2l-navigation-button-1 button.d2l-navigation-button:focus,.d2l-navigation-button-1 button.d2l-navigation-button:hover > *,.d2l-navigation-button-1 button.d2l-navigation-button:focus > * {   color:#006fbf;outline:none; }  .d2l-navigation-button-1 button.d2l-navigation-button:hover > * *,.d2l-navigation-button-1 button.d2l-navigation-button:focus > * * {   color:#006fbf;outline:none; }  .d2l-navigation-button-1 button.d2l-navigation-button:hover .d2l-navigation-button-top-border.d2l-navigation-button,.d2l-navigation-button-1 button.d2l-navigation-button:focus .d2l-navigation-button-top-border.d2l-navigation-button {   background:#006fbf; }  .d2l-navigation-button-1 button.d2l-navigation-button {   align-items:center;background:transparent;border:none;color:#565a5c;cursor:pointer;font-size:inherit;height:100%;margin:0;min-height:40px;outline:none;overflow:visible;padding:0;position:relative;text-decoration:none;font-family:inherit;outline:none; }  .d2l-navigation-button-1 .d2l-navigation-button-top-border.d2l-navigation-button {   background:transparent;border-bottom-left-radius:4px;border-bottom-right-radius:4px;display:block;height:4px;left:-7px;position:absolute;top:0;width:calc(100% + 14px); }  .d2l-navigation-button-1 .d2l-offscreen-description.d2l-navigation-button {   ; }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-navigation-button-1 .d2l-offscreen-description.d2l-navigation-button, .d2l-navigation-button-1[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-offscreen-description.d2l-navigation-button,[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-navigation-button-1 .d2l-offscreen-description.d2l-navigation-button, .d2l-navigation-button-1[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-offscreen-description.d2l-navigation-button,.d2l-navigation-button-1 [dir=”rtl”]  .d2l-offscreen-description.d2l-navigation-button {   ; }  .d2l-navigation-button-1[disabled] button.d2l-navigation-button {   opacity:.5;cursor:default; } .d2l-navigation-button-0 {   ; }  .d2l-navigation-button-0 {   display:inline-block;height:100%; }  .d2l-navigation-button-0 button.d2l-navigation-button::-moz-focus-inner {   border:0; }  .d2l-navigation-button-0 button.d2l-navigation-button > * {   pointer-events:none; }  .d2l-navigation-button-0 button.d2l-navigation-button:hover,.d2l-navigation-button-0 button.d2l-navigation-button:focus,.d2l-navigation-button-0 button.d2l-navigation-button:hover > *,.d2l-navigation-button-0 button.d2l-navigation-button:focus > * {   color:#006fbf;outline:none; }  .d2l-navigation-button-0 button.d2l-navigation-button:hover > * *,.d2l-navigation-button-0 button.d2l-navigation-button:focus > * * {   color:#006fbf;outline:none; }  .d2l-navigation-button-0 button.d2l-navigation-button:hover .d2l-navigation-button-top-border.d2l-navigation-button,.d2l-navigation-button-0 button.d2l-navigation-button:focus .d2l-navigation-button-top-border.d2l-navigation-button {   background:#006fbf; }  .d2l-navigation-button-0 button.d2l-navigation-button {   align-items:center;background:transparent;border:none;color:#565a5c;cursor:pointer;font-size:inherit;height:100%;margin:0;min-height:40px;outline:none;overflow:visible;padding:0;position:relative;text-decoration:none;font-family:inherit;outline:none; }  .d2l-navigation-button-0 .d2l-navigation-button-top-border.d2l-navigation-button {   background:transparent;border-bottom-left-radius:4px;border-bottom-right-radius:4px;display:block;height:4px;left:-7px;position:absolute;top:0;width:calc(100% + 14px); }  .d2l-navigation-button-0 .d2l-offscreen-description.d2l-navigation-button {   position:absolute !important;overflow:hidden;width:1px;height:1px;white-space:nowrap;left:-10000px; }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-navigation-button-0 .d2l-offscreen-description.d2l-navigation-button, .d2l-navigation-button-0[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-offscreen-description.d2l-navigation-button,[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-navigation-button-0 .d2l-offscreen-description.d2l-navigation-button, .d2l-navigation-button-0[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-offscreen-description.d2l-navigation-button,.d2l-navigation-button-0 [dir=”rtl”]  .d2l-offscreen-description.d2l-navigation-button {   left:0;right:-10000px; }  .d2l-navigation-button-0[disabled] button.d2l-navigation-button {   opacity:.5;cursor:default; }  .d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon-0 {   ; }  .d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon-0 {   display:inline-block;height:100%; }  .d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon-0[notification] .d2l-navigation-button-notification-indicator.d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon {   display:inline-block; }  .d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon-0 .d2l-navigation-button-icon-container.d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon {   display:inline-block;position:relative; }  .d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon-0 .d2l-navigation-button-notification-indicator.d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon {   display:none;height:100%;position:absolute;right:calc(-50% – 4px);top:calc(-50% + 11px);width:100%; }  [dir=”rtl”] .d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon-0 .d2l-navigation-button-notification-indicator.d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon, .d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon-0[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-navigation-button-notification-indicator.d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon,[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon-0 .d2l-navigation-button-notification-indicator.d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon, .d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon-0[dir=”rtl”] .d2l-navigation-button-notification-indicator.d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon,.d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon-0 [dir=”rtl”]  .d2l-navigation-button-notification-indicator.d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon {   left:calc(-50% – 4px);right:auto; }  .d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon-0 .d2l-navigation-button-notification-indicator-icon.d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon {   background:#e87511;border:2px solid white;height:10px;width:10px;border-radius:50%; }  d2l-navigation-button-close {   display:inline-block;height:100%; }  d2l-navigation-button-notification-icon.d2l-navigation-button-close {   height:100%; }  .d2l-navigation-link-0 {   ; }  .d2l-navigation-link-0 {   display:flex;height:100%; }  .d2l-navigation-link-0 a.d2l-navigation-link {   align-items:center;background:transparent;border:none;color:#565a5c;cursor:pointer;font-size:inherit;height:100%;margin:0;min-height:40px;outline:none;overflow:visible;padding:0;position:relative;text-decoration:none;font-family:inherit;outline:none; }  .d2l-navigation-link-0:not([href]) a.d2l-navigation-link {   cursor:default; }  .d2l-navigation-link-0 a.d2l-navigation-link:hover,.d2l-navigation-link-0 a.d2l-navigation-link:focus {   color:#006fbf;outline:none; }  .d2l-navigation-link-0 a.d2l-navigation-link:hover .d2l-navigation-link-top-border.d2l-navigation-link,.d2l-navigation-link-0 a.d2l-navigation-link:focus .d2l-navigation-link-top-border.d2l-navigation-link {   background:#006fbf; }  .d2l-navigation-link-0 .d2l-navigation-link-top-border.d2l-navigation-link {   background:transparent;border-bottom-left-radius:4px;border-bottom-right-radius:4px;display:block;height:4px;left:-7px;position:absolute;top:0;width:calc(100% + 14px); }  .d2l-navigation-main-header-0 {   ; }  .d2l-navigation-main-header-0 .d2l-navigation-centerer.d2l-navigation-main-header {   margin:0 auto;max-width:1230px; }  .d2l-navigation-main-header-0 .d2l-navigation-gutters.d2l-navigation-main-header {   padding-left:2.439%;padding-right:2.439%;position:relative; }  @media (max-width: 615px) { .d2l-navigation-main-header-0 .d2l-navigation-gutters.d2l-navigation-main-header {   padding-left:15px;padding-right:15px; }  }  @media (min-width: 1230px) { .d2l-navigation-main-header-0 .d2l-navigation-gutters.d2l-navigation-main-header {   padding-left:30px;padding-right:30px; }  }  .d2l-navigation-main-header-0 .d2l-navigation-shadow-gradient.d2l-navigation-main-header {   background:linear-gradient(to bottom,  rgba(249,250,251,1) 0%,rgba(249,250,251,0) 100%);bottom:-150px;display:block;height:150px;width:100%;pointer-events:none;position:absolute;z-index:-100; }  .d2l-navigation-main-header-0 {   display:block; }  .d2l-navigation-main-header-0 .d2l-navigation-header-container.d2l-navigation-main-header {   align-items:center;display:flex;height:90px; }  @media (max-width: 767px) { .d2l-navigation-main-header-0 .d2l-navigation-header-container.d2l-navigation-main-header {   height:72px; }  }  .d2l-navigation-main-header-0 div.d2l-navigation-main-header > .d2l-navigation-header-left,.d2l-navigation-main-header-0 div.d2l-navigation-main-header > .d2l-navigation-header-right {   align-items:center;display:flex;height:100%; }  .d2l-navigation-main-header-0 div.d2l-navigation-main-header > .d2l-navigation-header-left {   flex:0 1 auto; }  .d2l-navigation-main-header-0 div.d2l-navigation-main-header > .d2l-navigation-header-right {   flex:0 0 auto; }  .d2l-navigation-main-header-0 .d2l-navigation-gutter.d2l-navigation-main-header {   display:inline-block;flex:1 1 auto;min-width:30px; }  @media (max-width: 615px) { .d2l-navigation-main-header-0 .d2l-navigation-gutter.d2l-navigation-main-header {   min-width:30px / 2; }  }  .d2l-navigation-main-footer-0 {   ; }  .d2l-navigation-main-footer-0 .d2l-navigation-centerer.d2l-navigation-main-footer {   margin:0 auto;max-width:1230px; }  .d2l-navigation-main-footer-0 .d2l-navigation-gutters.d2l-navigation-main-footer {   padding-left:2.439%;padding-right:2.439%;position:relative; }  @media (max-width: 615px) { .d2l-navigation-main-footer-0 .d2l-navigation-gutters.d2l-navigation-main-footer {   padding-left:15px;padding-right:15px; }  }  @media (min-width: 1230px) { .d2l-navigation-main-footer-0 .d2l-navigation-gutters.d2l-navigation-main-footer {   padding-left:30px;padding-right:30px; }  }  .d2l-navigation-main-footer-0 .d2l-navigation-shadow-gradient.d2l-navigation-main-footer {   background:linear-gradient(to bottom,  rgba(249,250,251,1) 0%,rgba(249,250,251,0) 100%);bottom:-150px;display:block;height:150px;width:100%;pointer-events:none;position:absolute;z-index:-100; }  .d2l-navigation-main-footer-0 {   display:block; }  d2l-navigation-link-image {   display:inline-block;height:100%; }  img.d2l-navigation-link-image {   vertical-align:middle;border:none;max-height:60px;max-width:260px; }  .d2l-navigation-link-image-container.d2l-navigation-link-image {   height:100%;vertical-align:middle;align-items:center;display:inline-flex; }  .d2l-navigation-separator-0 {   display:inline-block;margin:0 9px; }  .d2l-navigation-separator-0 d2l-icon.d2l-navigation-separator {   color:#d3d9e3; }  body {transition: opacity ease-in 0.2s; }  body[unresolved] {opacity: 0; display: block; overflow: hidden; position: relative; }   Week 8: Current and Future Legal & Ethical Challenges in Health Care Organizations – HMGT  372 6381 Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care (2192)    //<![CDATA[ (function(){if(‘PerformanceLongTaskTiming’ in window) {var g = window.__tti = {e:[]};g.o = new PerformanceObserver( function( l ){ g.e = g.e.concat( l.getEntries() ) });g.o.observe({ entryTypes:[‘longtask’]})}})(); (function(){document.addEventListener(‘WebComponentsReady’, function() { window.d2lWCRDispatched = true; if(window.D2L && window.D2L.WCRDispatched !== undefined) { window.D2L.WCRDispatched(); }});var onload = function() { if(!window.HTMLImports) { document.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent(‘WebComponentsReady’, {bubbles: true}));} };var webComponentsSupported = (‘registerElement’ in document && ‘import’ in document.createElement( ‘link’ ) && ‘content’ in document.createElement(‘template’));if(!webComponentsSupported) { var script = document.createElement(‘script’); 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Assignment #4IMPORTANT NOTE: This paper must be submitted by Saturday in the last week of class no later than 11:59pm EST and if late will not be accepted. In addition to the written instructions, there are 2 VIDEOS that explain this assignment. See above links for videos.
The final project for this course is an analysis of the legal and or ethical issues involved in the below health care scenario. See questions to be answered at end of this factual scenario below. I have also provided, after the formatting requirements for the paper, two articles that will aid you in your analyzing the scenario and writing your paper.  The two articles to base the analysis of your paper are entitled:Clinical Ethics Issues and Discussion andA Framework for Thinking EthicallyThis is the final paper for the class and must be double spaced and be approximately 4-5 pages in 12 point New Times Roman font. Include a cover page [not counted as a page] which should have student name and title of your paper. See more formatting requirements later in these paper instructions.NOTE: For this paper it is unnecessary to do any research beyond the two articles I furnished with this assignment. Both are after the specific paper requirements.  You may use all the articles in the class also. To do internet research would only be wasting your valuable time.Case ScenarioA 72 year old woman was admitted to the Neurological Intensive Care Unit following a cerebral hemorrhage which left her with severe brain damage and ventilator dependent. One year before this event, the patient and her husband had drawn up “living wills” with an attorney. She was diagnosed by her treating physician as being in a permanent unconscious condition. The patient’s living will specified that the patient did not want ventilator support or other artificial life support in the event of a permanent unconscious condition or terminal condition.The patient’s husband is her legal next of kin and the person with surrogate decision-making authority. When the living will was discussed with him, he insisted that the patient had not intended for the document to be used in a situation like the present one. Further discussion with him revealed that he understood that the patient would not be able to recover any meaningful brain function but he argued that the living will did not apply because her condition was not imminently terminal. He further indicated that he did not consider his wife to be in a permanent unconscious condition.  The immediate family members (the couple’s adult children) disagreed with their father’s refusal to withdraw life support.The treatment team allowed a week to pass to allow the husband more time to be supported in his grief and to appreciate the gravity of his wife’s situation.  Nevertheless, at the end of this time, the husband was unwilling to authorize withdrawal of life support measures consistent with the patient’s wishes as expressed in her living will. End of scenario.You paper should have 3 major sections. Each is numbered 1, 2 and 3. Questions to be discussed based on the facts above. You must weave into your discussion the relevant facts from above scenario to support your discussion in discussion areas 2 and 3 below. And for discussion area 3 you must weave into your discussion the ethics philosophy you pick for each issue from the article A Framework for Thinking Ethically. A penalty will be deducted if you fail to use appropriate headings in your paper. 1. Three Legal/Ethical Issues. Just list the three most important legal/ethics issues in this scenario that you will discuss. They must be three separate, different and distinct issues. Pay particular attention to the article I furnished with this assignment. No explanation needed, just state them 1, 2, 3.2. Discussion of Three Legal/Ethical Issues.  Discuss the three most important ethical/legal issues you listed above. Must use the relevant facts in the scenario to support your discussion of the legal/ethical issues.          Must use headings below.  Headings will be:           Legal/Ethical Issue 1 [state the issue] then discussion           Legal/Ethical Issue 2 [state the issue] then discussion           Legal/Ethical Issue 3 [state the issue] then discussion      For each legal/ethical issue above discuss            a. Why each is a legal /ethical issue?            b. Discuss each issue in the context of the scenario facts and            c. Define the concepts you use3. How I would Handle Each Issue.  First, in this section and for each issue, as a health care provider, how would you handle each of the three issues discussed above and why?  Must use the relevant facts in the scenario to support your positions. Secondly for each issue, using the article in these requirements, entitled “A Framework of Thinking Ethically” fully discuss the specific ethics philosophy that would epitomize your handling of each issue. Fully define the specific ethics philosophy used and weave the ethics philosophy into your discussion. See article below entitled A Framework for Thinking Ethically. Must use headings below.  Headings will be:Handling of Legal/Ethical Issue #1 (followed by the discussion)
Handling of Legal/Ethical Issue #2 (followed by the discussion)Handling of Legal/Ethical Issue #3 (followed by the discussion)[A penalty will be deducted if you fail to use appropriate headings in your paper. ]This is an independent paper and you are on the honor system not to discuss or consult with any students or other individuals about this paper. You may use the information we have discussed in the class, the articles in the class, and the two articles I have furnished below. Just so you know, all you need to read to analyze the questions for your paper are the two articles I have furnished with this assignment and information in the class.All you need to read to analyze the questions for this paper are the two articles below entitled:Clinical Ethics Issues and Discussion & A Framework for Thinking EthicallyThe paper must be:Late submission – No late assignment 4 papers will be accepted. Paper is due Saturday in the last week of class no later than 11:59pm EST.. Paper must be in narrative format not outline or bullets. Double spaced and be 4-5 pages in 12 point New Times Roman font. [No deduction if paper exceeds a page or so.  Thus 3 and half page paper will be penalized.]Must cite to source of all your  facts in the text of your paper in APA format. You can cite directly to the original source. Here are the links to the sources where the University received copyright permissions for the materials:Clinical Ethics and Law:http://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/law.htmlA Framework for Ethical Decision Making:https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/a-framework-for-ethical-decision-making/Include a cover page [not counted as a page] which should have student name and title of your paper [Provide a short name for the legal responsibility the specific health care organization has for one type of patient right in a specific setting ] A the end of the paper a list of references [not counted as a page]    Be prepared using word-processing software and saved with a .doc, .docx, or .rtf extension. No pdf.Be uploaded to your Assignments Folder by 11:59 p.m. EST on the due date.    The paper is to be posted in Assignment #4 drop box.Grading rubric for assignment is with assignment in Assignments area of class.Background articles to support the issues you will discuss in the paper. Article One of Two Clinical Ethics Issues and Discussion ArticleRelationships: I. clinical ethics, law & risk managementDefinitions and sources of authorityIn the course of practicing medicine, a range of issues may arise that lead to consultation with a medical ethicist, a lawyer, and/or a risk manager. The following discussion will outline key distinctions between these roles.Clinical ethics may be defined as:  a discipline or methodology for considering the ethical implications of medical technologies, policies, and treatments, with special attention to determining what ought to be done (or not done) in the delivery of health care. Law may be defined as: established and enforceable social rules for conduct or non-conduct; a violation of a legal standard may create criminal or civil liability.Risk Management may be defined as: a method of reducing risk of liability through institutional policies/practices.Many health care facilities have in-house or on-call trained ethicists to assist health care practitioners, caregivers and patients with difficult issues arising in medical care, and some facilities have formally constituted institutional ethics committees. In the hospital setting, this ethics consultation or review process dates back to at least 1992 with the formulation of accreditation requirements that mandated that hospitals establish a “mechanism” to consider clinical ethics issues.Ethics has been described as beginning where the law ends. The moral conscience is a precursor to the development of legal rules for social order.  Ethics and law thus share the goal of creating and maintaining social good and have a symbiotic relationship as expressed in this quote:[C]onscience is the guardian in the individual of the rules which the community has evolved for its own preservation.  William Somerset MaughamThe role of lawyers and risk managers are closely linked in many health care facilities. Indeed, in some hospitals, the administrator with the title of Risk Manager is an attorney with a clinical background. There are, however, important distinctions between law and risk management. Risk management is guided by legal parameters but has a broader institution-specific mission to reduce liability risks. It is not uncommon for a hospital policy to go beyond the minimum requirements set by a legal standard. When legal and risk management issues arise in the delivery of health care, ethics issues may also exist. Similarly, an issue originally identified as falling within the clinical ethics domain may also raise legal and risk management concerns.To better understand the significant overlap among these disciplines in the health care setting, consider the sources of authority and expression for each.Ethical norms may be derived from:LawInstitutional policies/practicesPolicies of professional organizationsProfessional standards of care, fiduciary obligationsNote: If a health care facility is also a religious facility, it may adhere to religious tenets. In general, however, clinical ethics is predominantly a secular professional analytic approach to clinical issues and choices.Law may be derived from:Federal and state constitutions (fundamental laws of a nation or state establishing the role of government in relation to the governed)Federal and state statutes (laws written or enacted by elected officials in legislative bodies, and in some states, such as Washington and California, laws created by a majority of voters through an initiative process)  Federal and state regulations (written by government agencies as permitted by statutory delegation, having the force and effect of law consistent with the enabling legislation)Federal and state case law (written published opinions of appellate-level courts regarding decisions in individual lawsuits)City or town ordinances, when relevantRisk Management may be derived from law, professional standards and individual institution’s mission and public relations strategies and is expressed through institutional policies and practices.Conceptual Models Another way to consider the relationship among the three disciplines is through conceptual models:LinearDistinctionsInterconnectednessOrientation to law for non-lawyersPotential legal actions against health care providersThere are two primary types of potential civil actions against health care providers for injuries resulting from health care:  (1) lack of informed consent, and (2) violation of the standard of care. Medical treatment and malpractice laws are specific to each state.Informed Consent. Before a health care provider delivers care, ethical and legal standards require that the patient provide informed consent. If the patient cannot provide informed consent, then, for most treatments, a legally authorized surrogate decision-maker may do so.  In an emergency situation when the patient is not legally competent to give informed consent and no surrogate decision-maker is readily available, the law implies consent on behalf of the patient, assuming that the patient would consent to treatment if he or she were capable of doing so. Information that must be conveyed to and consented to by the patient includes: the treatment’s nature and character and anticipated results, alternative treatments (including non-treatment), and the potential risks and benefits of treatment and alternatives. The information must be presented in a form that the patient can comprehend (i.e., in a language and at a level which the patient can understand) and that the consent must be voluntary given. An injured patient may bring an informed consent action against a provider who fails to obtain the patient’s informed consent in accordance with state law.From a clinical ethics perspective, informed consent is a communication process, and should not simply be treated as a required form for the patient’s signature. Similarly, the legal concept of informed consent refers to a state of mind, i.e., understanding the information provided to make an informed choice.  Health care facilities and providers use consent forms to document the communication process. From a provider’s perspective, a signed consent form can be valuable evidence the communication occurred and legal protection in defending against a patient’s claim of a lack of informed consent.  Initiatives at the federal level (i.e., the Affordable Care Act) and state level (e.g., Revised Code of Washington § 7.70.060)  reflect approaches that support shared decision-making and the use of patient decision aids in order to ensure the provision of complete information for medical decision-making.Failure to follow standard of care. A patient who is injured during medical treatment may also be able to bring a successful claim against a health care provider if the patient can prove that the injury resulted from the provider’s failure to follow the accepted standard of care. The duty of care generally requires that the provider use reasonably expected knowledge and judgment in the treatment of the patient, and typically would also require the adept use of the facilities at hand and options for treatment.  The standard of care emerges from a variety of sources, including professional publications, interactions of professional leaders, presentations and exchanges at professional meetings, and among networks of colleagues. Experts are hired by the litigating parties to assist the court in determining the applicable standard of care.Many states measure the provider’s actions against a national standard of care (rather than a local one) but with accommodation for practice limitations, such as the reasonable availability of medical facilities, services, equipment and the like. States may also apply different standards to specialists and to general practitioners. As an example of a statutory description of the standard of care, Washington State currently specifies that a health care provider must “exercise that degree of care, skill, and learning expected of a reasonably prudent health care provider at that time in the profession or class to which he belongs, in the State of Washington, acting in the same or similar circumstances.”      III.            Common clinical ethics issues: medical decision-making and provider-patient communicationThere are a number of common ethical issues that also implicate legal and risk management issues. Briefly discussed below are common issues that concern medical decision-making and provider-patient communication.If a patient is capable of providing informed consent, then the patient’s choices about treatment, including non-treatment, should be followed. This is an established and enforceable legal standard and also consistent with the ethical principle of respecting the autonomy of the patient. The next two sections (Surrogate decision-making; Advance directives) discuss how this principle is respected from a legal perspective if a patient lacks capacity, temporarily or permanently, to make medical decisions. The third section briefly introduces the issue of provider-patient communication, and highlights a contemporary dilemma raised in decisions regarding the disclosure of medical error to patients.Surrogate decision-makingThe determination as to whether a patient has the capacity to provide informed consent is generally a professional judgment made and documented by the treating health care provider. The provider can make a determination of temporary or permanent incapacity, and that determination should be linked to a specific decision. The legal term competency (or incompetency) may be used to describe a judicial determination of decision-making capacity. The designation of a specific surrogate decision-maker may either be authorized by court order or is specified in state statutes.If a court has determined that a patient is incompetent, a health care provider must obtain informed consent from the court-appointed decision-maker. For example, where a guardian has been appointed by the court in a guardianship action, a health care provider would seek the informed consent of the guardian, provided that the relevant court order covers personal or health care decision-making.If, however, a physician determines that a patient lacks the capacity to provide informed consent, for example, due to dementia or lack of consciousness, or because the patient is a minor and the minor is legally proscribed from consenting, then a legally authorized surrogate decision-maker may be able to provide consent on the patient’s behalf.  Most states have specific laws that delineate, in order of priority, who can be a legally authorized surrogate decision-maker for another person. While these laws may vary, they generally assume that legal relatives are the most appropriate surrogate decision-makers. If, however, a patient has previously, while capable of consenting, selected a person to act as her decision-maker and executed a legal document known as a durable power of attorney for health care or health care proxy, then that designated individual should provide informed consent.In Washington State, a statute specifies the order of priority of authorized decision-makers as follows: guardian, holder of durable power of attorney; spouse or state registered partner; adult children; parents; and adult brothers and sisters. If the patient is a minor, other consent provisions may apply, such as: court authorization for a person with whom the child is in out-of-home placement; the person(s) that the child’s parent(s) have given a signed authorization to provide consent; or, a competent adult who represents that s/he is a relative responsible for the child’s care and signs a sworn declaration stating so.  Health care providers are required to make reasonable efforts to locate a person in the highest possible category to provide informed consent. If there are two or more persons in the same category, e.g., adult children, then the medical treatment decision must be unanimous among those persons.  A surrogate decision-maker is required to make the choice she believes the patient would have wanted, which may not be the choice the decision-maker would have chosen for herself in the same circumstance. This decision-making standard is known as substituted judgment. If the surrogate is unable to ascertain what the patient would have wanted, then the surrogate may consent to medical treatment or non-treatment based on what is in the patient’s best interest.Laws on surrogate decision-making are slowly catching up with social changes. Non-married couples (whether heterosexual or same sex) have not traditionally been recognized in state law as legally authorized surrogate decision-makers. This lack of recognition has left providers in a difficult legal position, encouraging them to defer to the decision-making of a distant relative over a spouse-equivalent unless the relative concurs. Washington law, for example, now recognizes spouses and domestic partners registered with the state as having the same priority status.  Parental decision-making and minor children. A parent may not be permitted in certain situations to consent to non-treatment of his or her minor child, particularly where the decision would significantly impact and perhaps result in death if the minor child did not receive treatment. Examples include parents who refuse medical treatment on behalf of their minor children because of the parents’ social or religious views, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christian Scientists.  The decision-making standard that generally applies to minor patients in such cases is known as the best interest standard.  The substituted judgment standard may not apply because the minor patient never had decision-making capacity and therefore substituted judgment based on the minor’s informed choices is not able to be determined. It is important to note that minors may have greater authority to direct their own care depending on their age, maturity, nature of medical treatment or non-treatment, and may have authority to consent to specific types of treatment. For example, in Washington State, a minor may provide his or her own informed consent for treatment of mental health conditions, sexually transmitted diseases, and birth control, among others. Depending on the specific facts, a health care provider working with the provider’s institutional representatives could potentially legally provide treatment of a minor under implied consent for emergency with documentation of that determination,  assume temporary protective custody of the child under child neglect laws, or if the situation is non-urgent, the provider could seek a court order to authorize treatment. Advance directivesThe term advance directive refers to several different types of legal documents that may be used by a patient while competent to record future wishes in the event the patient lacks decision-making capacity.   The choice and meaning of specific advance directive terminology is dependent on state law. Generally, a living will expresses a person’s desires concerning medical treatment in the event of incapacity due to terminal illness or permanent unconsciousness. A durable power of attorney for health care or health care proxy appoints a legal decision- maker for health care decisions in the event of incapacity. An advance health care directive or health care directive may combine the functions of a living will and durable power of attorney for health care into one document in one state, but may be equivalent to a living will in another state. The Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form is a document that is signed by a physician and patient which summarizes the patient’s wishes concerning medical treatment at the end of life, such as resuscitation, antibiotics, other medical interventions and artificial feeding, and translates them into medical orders that follow patients regardless of care setting. It is especially helpful in effectuating a patient’s wishes outside the hospital setting, for example, in a nursing care facility or emergency medical response context.  This relatively new approach is available in about a dozen states, although the programs may operate under different names: POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment), MOST (Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment), MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment), and COLST (Clinician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment).  The simple one page treatment orders follow patients regardless of care setting. Thus it differs from an advance directive because it is written up by the clinician in consultation with the patient and is a portable, actionable medical order.  The POLST form is intended to complement other forms of advance directives. For example, Washington State recognizes the following types of advance directives: the health care directive (living will), the durable power of attorney for health care, and the POLST form. Washington also recognizes another legal document known as a mental health advance directive, which can be prepared by individuals with mental illness who fluctuate between capacity and incapacity for use during times when they are incapacitated.State laws may also differ on the conditions that can be covered by an individual in an advance directive, the procedural requirements to ensure that the document is effective (such as the number of required witnesses) and the conditions under which it can be implemented (such as invalidity during pregnancy).Advance directives can be very helpful in choosing appropriate treatment based upon the patient’s expressed wishes. There are situations, however, in which the advance directive’s veracity is questioned or in which a legally authorized surrogate believes the advance directive does not apply to the particular care decision at issue. Such conflicts implicate clinical ethics, law and risk management.Provider-patient communications: disclosing medical errorHonest communication to patients by health care providers is an ethical imperative. Excellent communication eliminates or reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings and conflict in the health care setting, and also may affect the likelihood that a patient will sue.One of the more contentious issues that has arisen in the context of communication is whether providers should disclose medical errors to patients, and if so, how and when to do so. Disclosure of medical error creates a potential conflict among clinical ethics, law and risk management. Despite a professional ethical commitment to honest communication, providers cite a fear of litigation as a reason for non-disclosure. Specifically, the fear is that those statements will stimulate malpractice lawsuits or otherwise be used in support of a claim against the provider.  An increase in malpractice claims could then negatively affect the provider’s claims history and malpractice insurance coverage.  There is some evidence in closed systems (one institution, one state with one malpractice insurer) that an apology coupled with disclosure and prompt payment may decrease either the likelihood or amount of legal claim.  In addition, a number of state legislatures have recently acted to protect provider apologies, or provider apologies coupled with disclosures, from being used by a patient as evidence of a provider’s liability in any ensuing malpractice litigation. It is currently too early to know whether these legal protections will have any impact on the size or frequency of medical malpractice claims. For this reason and others, it is advisable to involve risk management and legal counsel in decision-making regarding error disclosure.  Article Two of TwoA Framework for Thinking Ethically ArticleThis document is designed as an introduction to thinking ethically. We all have an image of our better selves-of how we are when we act ethically or are “at our best.” We probably also have an image of what an ethical community, an ethical business, an ethical government, or an ethical society should be. Ethics really has to do with all these levels-acting ethically as individuals, creating ethical organizations and governments, and making our society as a whole ethical in the way it treats everyone. What is Ethics?Simply stated, ethics refers to standards of behavior that tell us how human beings ought to act in the many situations in which they find themselves-as friends, parents, children, citizens, businesspeople, teachers, professionals, and so on.It is helpful to identify what ethics is NOT:• Ethics is not the same as feelings. Feelings provide important information for our ethical choices. Some people have highly developed habits that make them feel bad when they do something wrong, but many people feel good even though they are doing something wrong. And often our feelings will tell us it is uncomfortable to do the right thing if it is hard.• Ethics is not religion. Many people are not religious, but ethics applies to everyone. Most religions do advocate high ethical standards but sometimes do not address all the types of problems we face.• Ethics is not following the law. A good system of law does incorporate many ethical standards, but law can deviate from what is ethical. Law can become ethically corrupt, as some totalitarian regimes have made it. Law can be a function of power alone and designed to serve the interests of narrow groups. Law may have a difficult time designing or enforcing standards in some important areas, and may be slow to address new problems.• Ethics is not following culturally accepted norms. Some cultures are quite ethical, but others become corrupt -or blind to certain ethical concerns (as the United States was to slavery before the Civil War). “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” is not a satisfactory ethical standard.• Ethics is not science. Social and natural science can provide important data to help us make better ethical choices. But science alone does not tell us what we ought to do. Science may provide an explanation for what humans are like. But ethics provides reasons for how humans ought to act. And just because something is scientifically or technologically possible, it may not be ethical to do it.Why Identifying Ethical Standards is HardThere are two fundamental problems in identifying the ethical standards we are to follow: 
1. On what do we base our ethical standards?
2. How do those standards get applied to specific situations we face?If our ethics are not based on feelings, religion, law, accepted social practice, or science, what are they based on? Many philosophers and ethicists have helped us answer this critical question. They have suggested at least five different sources of ethical standards we should use.Five Sources of Ethical StandardsThe Utilitarian Approach
Some ethicists emphasize that the ethical action is the one that provides the most good or does the least harm, or, to put it another way, produces the greatest balance of good over harm. The ethical corporate action, then, is the one that produces the greatest good and does the least harm for all who are affected-customers, employees, shareholders, the community, and the environment. Ethical warfare balances the good achieved in ending terrorism with the harm done to all parties through death, injuries, and destruction. The utilitarian approach deals with consequences; it tries both to increase the good done and to reduce the harm done. The Rights Approach
Other philosophers and ethicists suggest that the ethical action is the one that best protects and respects the moral rights of those affected. This approach starts from the belief that humans have a dignity based on their human nature per se or on their ability to choose freely what they do with their lives. On the basis of such dignity, they have a right to be treated as ends and not merely as means to other ends. The list of moral rights -including the rights to make one’s own choices about what kind of life to lead, to be told the truth, not to be injured, to a degree of privacy, and so on-is widely debated; some now argue that non-humans have rights, too. Also, it is often said that rights imply duties-in particular, the duty to respect others’ rights. The Fairness or Justice Approach
Aristotle and other Greek philosophers have contributed the idea that all equals should be treated equally. Today we use this idea to say that ethical actions treat all human beings equally-or if unequally, then fairly based on some standard that is defensible. We pay people more based on their harder work or the greater amount that they contribute to an organization, and say that is fair. But there is a debate over CEO salaries that are hundreds of times larger than the pay of others; many ask whether the huge disparity is based on a defensible standard or whether it is the result of an imbalance of power and hence is unfair. The Common Good Approach
The Greek philosophers have also contributed the notion that life in community is a good in itself and our actions should contribute to that life. This approach suggests that the interlocking relationships of society are the basis of ethical reasoning and that respect and compassion for all others-especially the vulnerable-are requirements of such reasoning. This approach also calls attention to the common conditions that are important to the welfare of everyone. This may be a system of laws, effective police and fire departments, health care, a public educational system, or even public recreational areas. The Virtue Approach
A very ancient approach to ethics is that ethical actions ought to be consistent with certain ideal virtues that provide for the full development of our humanity. These virtues are dispositions and habits that enable us to act according to the highest potential of our character and on behalf of values like truth and beauty. Honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, tolerance, love, fidelity, integrity, fairness, self-control, and prudence are all examples of virtues. Virtue ethics asks of any action, “What kind of person will I become if I do this?” or “Is this action consistent with my acting at my best?” Putting the Approaches TogetherEach of the approaches helps us determine what standards of behavior can be considered ethical. There are still problems to be solved, however.The first problem is that we may not agree on the content of some of these specific approaches. We may not all agree to the same set of human and civil rights.We may not agree on what constitutes the common good. We may not even agree on what is a good and what is a harm.The second problem is that the different approaches may not all answer the question “What is ethical?” in the same way. Nonetheless, each approach gives us important information with which to determine what is ethical in a particular circumstance. And much more often than not, the different approaches do lead to similar answers. Making DecisionsMaking good ethical decisions requires a trained sensitivity to ethical issues and a practiced method for exploring the ethical aspects of a decision and weighing the considerations that should impact our choice of a course of action. Having a method for ethical decision making is absolutely essential. When practiced regularly, the method becomes so familiar that we work through it automatically without consulting the specific steps.The more novel and difficult the ethical choice we face, the more we need to rely on discussion and dialogue with others about the dilemma. Only by careful exploration of the problem, aided by the insights and different perspectives of others, can we make good ethical choices in such situations.We have found the following framework for ethical decision making a useful method for exploring ethical dilemmas and identifying ethical courses of action.A Framework for Ethical Decision MakingRecognize an Ethical IssueCould this decision or situation be damaging to someone or to some group? Does this decision involve a choice between a good and bad alternative, or perhaps between two “goods” or between two “bads”?Is this issue about more than what is legal or what is most efficient? If so, how?Get the FactsWhat are the relevant facts of the case? What facts are not known? Can I learn more about the situation? Do I know enough to make a decision?What individuals and groups have an important stake in the outcome? Are some concerns more important? Why?What are the options for acting? Have all the relevant persons and groups been consulted? Have I identified creative options?Evaluate Alternative ActionsEvaluate the options by asking the following questions:Which option will produce the most good and do the least harm? (The Utilitarian Approach)Which option best respects the rights of all who have a stake? (The Rights Approach)Which option treats people equally or proportionately? (The Justice Approach)Which option best serves the community 
as a whole, not just some members? 
(The Common Good Approach)Which option leads me to act as the sort of person I want to be? (The Virtue Approach)Make a Decision and Test ItConsidering all these approaches, which option best addresses the situation?If I told someone I respect-or told a television audience-which option I have chosen, what would they say?Act and Reflect on the OutcomeHow can my decision be implemented with the greatest care and attention to the concerns of all stakeholders?How did my decision turn out and what have I learned from this specific situation?This framework for thinking ethically is the product of dialogue and debate at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. Primary contributors include Manuel Velasquez, Dennis Moberg, Michael J. Meyer, Thomas Shanks, Margaret R. McLean, David DeCosse, Claire André, and Kirk O. Hanson. It was last revised in May 2009. End of article.

DS 3

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Discussion: The Contribution of Classical Theorists to Contemporary Developmental Theorists

While all major developmental theories attempt to explain the growth of individuals, each theory has a slightly different perspective. Some theories emphasize environmental (nurture) more than biological (nature) influences. Some theories focus on a particular construct (e.g., cognition), while others emphasize the impact of age range in shaping development. Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory emphasizes fixed stages during which the mind’s capacities allow an individual to learn about the world. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, on the other hand, is not stage-based and describes growth as an interaction between the individual and his or her environment.

Contemporary theories (e.g., Langer’s theory of mindfulness) typically build upon the foundation generated by earlier theories. Langer’s theory of mindfulness contains similarities to classical theories, such as Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, in that they both agree that development is contextual and the organism is an active “mindful” participant. Langer took Vygotsky’s theory to a new level, focusing specifically on education and the learner. Other contemporary theories include neo-Piagetian cognitive developmental theories, which attempt to address the limitations found within Piaget’s classical theory. Robbie Case, Andreas Demetriou, and Kurt Fischer proposed theories that were extensions of Piaget’s theory. These theorists added concepts that expanded on cognitive functioning within the stages of development. Most developmental psychologists today do not believe that a single perspective or theory can sufficiently explain lifespan development; rather, an eclectic approach accounts for development better.

For this Discussion, you will examine classical and contemporary developmental theories as they relate to current applications in developmental psychology.

To prepare for this Discussion:

  • Review the course text and other Learning Resources related to mid-20th-century theories and recent theoretical perspectives
  • Select two theories from the following list, one from each column (classical, contemporary), that examine the same developmental processes (i.e., cognitive, physical, and/or social-emotional).

Classical TheoriesContemporary Theories

  • Psychoanalytic/Psychosexual
  • Psychosocial
  • Behaviorism/Learning
  • Social Learning
  • Cognitive-Developmental
  • Information Processing
  • Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Ethology/Evolutionary Developmental
  • Sociocultural
  • Systems Theory

By Day 4

Post a brief description of the two theories you selected (one classical and one contemporary). Contrast the theories you selected. Specifically, identify important similarities and differences, including an explanation of the strengths and limitations of each theory in explaining developmental processes (i.e., cognitive, physical, and social-emotional). Note:Your descriptions should be in paragraph form, not bullet points. Use your Learning Resources and/or other scholarly sources to support your post. Use proper APA format and citations.

For a-plus writer only

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Addressing Key Human Resource Functions

Part 1

Training staff is important for employers as training focuses on current job requirements. Employers’ responsibilities around staff development arguably are not as obvious since development focuses on enhancing skills required for future jobs.

Respond to the following questions in relation to staff development:

  • Do you think employers should invest in staff development? Why or why not?
  • In what ways can decisions about staff development affect a public health organization’s staffing plan?
  • What strategies would you recommend to balance the benefits of staff development with budgetary constraints?

Part 2

Fair and adequate compensation is critical for attracting the most qualified employees and retaining and motivating staff. When determining compensation, consideration should be given to fair and equitable compensation among all workers in the same company (internal equity) and fair and equitable compensation relative to the external market (external equity).

Consider the following scenario:

You have two medical assistants (MAs) who earn $15 per hour at your medical practice. When you hire a new MA, you discover that the current market pays $16 per hour for medical assistants.

Respond to the following discussion points in relation to equity conflicts and compensation:

  • State what you would offer the new MA and provide your reasons.
  • Discuss the implications of your decisions on internal and external equity.
  • Evaluate the changes, if any, you would make in the compensation of your current MAs.
  • Recommend strategies for resolving similar equity conflicts with compensation.

Performance evaluations can be stressful for both employers and employees. Nevertheless, performance appraisals have a number of benefits for both employers and staff.

Respond to the following questions in relation to performance evaluation:

  • In what ways do performance evaluations benefit employers?
  • In what ways do performance evaluations benefit employees?

HR departments play an essential role in developing an agency’s staffing strategy and handling employee-centered activities of an organization. The presence of an HR department, however, does not absolve individual managers within the agency of human resources responsibilities.

Respond to the following questions in relation to HR issues:

  • What role, if any, do managers have in addressing HR issues or concerns?
  • How does this differ from the role of the HR department staff?

philo

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For this assignment, you are to ponder some reflection questions before listening to the lecture component. These questions aim to stimulate your thinking and focus your concentration on the topics to be explored in the lecture, as a means of provoking you into thinking philosophically while you attentively listen to the lecture. Your responses to these questions are also a means of preparing you to craft your final project for this course, where you will be asked to construct your own philosophical account of what it means to you to live a good life. There will be multiple topics, but do not respond to them all. Rather, pick one topic to respond to that catches your attention or that you otherwise find intriguing. After you have selected your topic, spend 10 minutes pondering the topic’s questions and recording your thoughts. The reason for there being multiple questions within a topic is to assist with developing a response that has depth. For this assignment, do not be concerned about the number of thoughts you have on the topic. Rather, you should be concerned with the quality of your thoughts. In assessing your response, the teaching team will look to see how clearly and precisely you articulate your beliefs and how deeply you explain the reasoning for and assumptions underlying your beliefs. Here are the topics for you to consider:

REFLECTION TOPICS:

Topic #1: What does it mean to think of someone as your friend? In other words, how would you define friendship? Do you distinguish between types of friends, like “casual” friends and “best” friends? What characteristics or qualities make those types of friendships different from each other? What features or qualities characterize an ideal friendship? And to what degree is friendship important to living a good life? As you articulate your position, clearly explain your reasoning for your position, and if appropriate provide a concrete real-life example that illustrates your position.

Topic #2: What does it mean to be a virtuous person? How would you describe a virtuous person? Why do you regard those features or qualities in your description as virtuous? As you articulate your position, clearly explain your reasoning for your position, and if appropriate provide a concrete real-life example that illustrates your position. 

Topic #3: What do you think is the larger meaning or purpose of your life? What has led you to your belief about the larger meaning and purpose of your life? If someone was struggling to find their purpose or the meaning of their life, and asked you, “What do you think is the meaning and purpose of life?” how would you respond? As you articulate your position, clearly explain your reasoning for your position, and if appropriate provide a concrete real-life example that illustrates your position. 

Behavioral

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Part 1: Effectiveness of Behavioral Theories

Health education and health promotion programs focus on changing health behavior. Public health interventions are increasingly using theoretical frameworks to guide the design, implementation, and evaluation components to achieve behavior change and increase the health of the community.

From the assigned readings this week, review the following Web resource:

Based on your research, select a behavior change theory and provide an example of how that theory applies to a health promotion program. Then, respond to the following:

  • Describe the effectiveness of behavioral theories in bringing about behavior change in a health promotion program.
  • In the example you cite, examine the factors that led to the decision to apply your chosen theory to the specific health promotion program.
  • Describe how the health promotion program was designed to incorporate the elements of this theory.

Support your statements with appropriate examples and scholarly references.

Part 2: Social Determinants Impacting Public Health

Social determinants of health have a significant impact on public health issues. They are the social, economic, and environmental conditions that are not distributed equally among populations. Those living in poverty and unsanitary living conditions are usually more susceptible to disease. Inaccessible healthcare systems and an unstable government without policies to address these disparities also contribute to the burden of disease.

From the assigned readings this week, review the following Web resource:

Respond to the following:

  • Evaluate the social determinants that may impact current public health issues within the U.S.
  • Select a current public health issue in the U.S. and describe the social determinant that impacts the issue.
  • Describe existing practices that are in place to improve economic or social determinants. What additional measures can you recommend?
  • In your opinion, analyze whether more can be done to address the issue. Include an analysis of whether policy creates interference.

Support your statements with appropriate examples and scholarly references.

QUESTION

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READ THIS AND COMPILE  RESPONSE RESPONSE AND THEN ASK A QUESTION SO  MAY ANSWER, 2 PARAGRAPH APA W/ ONE REFERENCE….

 

Federal Response during Disaster

How does FEMA define a major disaster for the purpose of making a declaration? Do you think a major disaster declaration should be available for all disasters? Why or why not?Declarations are broken into two categories. Emergency declarations and major disaster declarations. These declarations are need authorization from the President to further supplemental disaster efforts (Dept. of Homeland Security, 2018). Emergency declarations determination by the president supplements resources to state, local, or Indian tribal governments. Resources include emergency services, protection, property, public health, and safety (Dept. of Homeland Security, 2018). The total amount of assistance per emergency can not exceeded $5 million. Major disaster declarations can be made by the president for any natural event, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, or floods. The president determines if severity is beyond capabilities of state and local government. This offers a wide range of federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure (Dept. of Homeland Security, 2018). I do think that a major disaster declaration should be available for all disasters that fits these categories. Depending upon the severity of the situation, local and or state governments may be handle emergency response efforts. Only after local and state resources face exhausting or deemed incapable of handling response efforts should such declarations be made. What are the ethical issues faced while enacting quarantine? What are the legal issues faced while enacting quarantine? Is it ethical to quarantine patients against their will? Why or why not?Quarantine is ethical in cases where less restrictive methods to protect the public from threats are not possible. It is applied to all persons at risk, regardless of social standings or class. Four major ethical principles affected are autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. A quarantine patient due to risk of communicable disease must be cared for by health officials in a manner that is consistent with the four ethics principles (Reed, 2015). Legal implications could be a result of public resistance and lack of trust. The standard of care and legitimacy of quarantine can be in jeopardy if the community does not uphold theses standards (Reed, 2015). How does EMTALA apply in disaster situations? Should there be any exceptions to EMTALA in a disaster situation? Why or why not?EMTALA is a federal law that requires anyone coming to an emergency department to be stabilized and treated, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay (ACEP, 2016). The law did not any exceptions for large scale disasters, leading to emergency departments being unable to meet obligations. After the attacks of 9/11 and anthrax, congress acknowledged inadequacies of the law and took action to clarify (Gravely, Whaley & Sanders, 2007). Subsequent actions lead to regulatory exception of EMTALA requirements during specific disasters and emergencies (Gravely, Whaley & Sanders, 2007). Without exceptions, healthcare providers would be held liable of the transfer of patients and redirections. References:ACEP. (2016). EMTALA. Retrieved from https://www.acep.org/news-media-top-banner/emtala/#sm.000a01axf3p3dox119226q3bi7sosDept. of Homeland Security. (2018, Jan 8). FEMA: The disaster declaration process. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/disaster-declaration-processGravely, S., Whaley, E., Sanders, T. (2007, Mar 2). EMTALA compliance in disaster circumstances. Retrieved from https://www.troutman.com/files/upload/EMTALA_Compliance_In_Disaster_Circumstances.pdfReed, M. (2015, May 6). Quarantine: ethical considerations for public health officials. Retrieved from http://sites.psu.edu/workworthdoing/2015/05/06/quarantine-ethical-considerations-for-public-health-officials/ 

Medicare Information Grid

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Your uncle, John Smith, is going to turn 65 in three months. He is self-employed and has owned his own homebuilding business for the past 40 years. He has purchased his own health insurance plan through an independent agent for more than 20 years. Now that he will be eligible for Medicare, he wants to know more about the program. He saw a commercial about Medicare on TV and it suggested to the viewers that they visit www.medicare.gov.

 

John went to the Medicare website, but there was so much information and unfamiliar terminology that he became frustrated and quit. He asked a few of his friends who were on Medicare how they chose their plans, and they said they just signed up for the “simple plan” rather than choosing something else that “might not be quite right.”

Your mother told your Uncle John that you were in a health-related major at the university, so he called you up for some advice. Prepare a “Medicare Choices for Uncle John” grid. Your grid should be detailed and include the following: cost, deductible(s), co-payment(s), examples of covered services, and any other details you think are important. It is also important that you make sure the grid is easy for Uncle John to understand. In addition, provide your uncle with a list of websites or other services that he may want to use to help him make his decision.

Your grid should contain the information listed below. You may add additional topics, but you must address those listed.
Your grid should be done in Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Word.

 

Topic

Medicare Part A

Medicare Part B

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Part D

Coverage

 

 

 

 

 

Premium

 

 

 

 

Deductible

 

 

 

 

Co-payment

 

 

 

 

EL206 Discussion Unit 1 Post

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Proofread, Edit and check Grammar   

 

Topic 1: Educational Goal Statement

Describe one of your short and long term academic goals. How do your academic goals correlate with your professional goals? What is it that you need to do to accomplish your short term goal and be successful in this course?

My short-term academic goal is to obtain my bachelor's degree in health services administration, my long-term academic goal is to do a Master's in Business Administration. My academic goals are strongly related to my professional goals, since I am the manager of the Quality Assurance department for a Medical Company in South Florida. My long-term goal professionally is to be the Director of the Coding and Billing department of a medical company. I’m thinking that to be successful on this course I have to complete all the assignments, follow the syllabus, not to stop participating in the live seminars and do my contribution on the weekly discussions. It is a very profitable class because through it I will be able to transform my learning experience in student credits.

Topic 2: Integrating Examples of Learning

How will you integrate examples of learning that demonstrate problem solving and critical thinking into your portfolio? Consider examples of your experiential learning and discuss why you would define them as college-level learning.

In my career as a manager I have to demonstrate level of university knowledge, not only to the board of directors but also to the employees who report to me in my department. Every day I have to solve the conflicts that arise and after having the resolution of the problems is that I can present them to the director of my department. For example my company has 45 Primary Care Physicians with 20 scribes I have to keep their medical notes up to date, the clinical notes of the providers can’t be more than 30 days open in order to be CMS compliant. Daily I distribute the work so that once a week the Doctors can close their notes. On the other hand I receive the data from five different medical insurance on a monthly basis, and I have to calculate the MRA score for each patient and each Doctor for each medical center to present it to the board of directors on the last Friday of each month. If I do not have knowledge at the university level, it could not be able to do the analytical data, neither maintain a large and important department up to date.

QNT 561 Week 3 Sampling and Data Collection Plan

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QNT 561 Week 3 Sampling and Data Collection Plan

Applied Business Research & Statistics – Data Collection and Hypothesis

University of Phoenix

 

Sampling Design

Using the scenario and two variables your learning team developed for the Week 2 Business Research Project Part 1 assignment, create a paper of no more than 700 words in which the goal is to submit a random sampling plan in such detail that another researcher could replicate the method.

Discuss the following:

(a) Population and size

(b) The target population and brief reasoning

(c) Sampling element which may be conducted through any of the following:

·         Data mining

·         Survey (If a survey is chosen, create a 5-10 question document), or

·         Observation

(d) The sample size

(e) Method of random sampling which may include:

·         Simple

·         Stratified

·         Systematic, or

·         Cluster

Calculate the sample size using a 95% confidence level, and a 5% margin of error. Place the calculation in the Appendix.

Discuss how validity (and reliability) will be achieved.

Explain how human subjects will be protected (if applicable).

Data collection

Explain how the data will be physically collected.

Explain where data will be stored and how it will be protected.

 

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.