Network Report

Thursday, April 4, 2024

The Network’s Executive Director, Dr. Vineeta Gupta, reflects on recent efforts by leading organizations in public health to protect the health of communities, including supporting an amicus brief that considers pressing questions related to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), which ensures emergency medical care nationwide, including during pregnancy.

Law & Policy Insights 

Some States Unwisely Cling to One-to-One Syringe Exchange instead of Evidence Based Needs-Based Distribution

Syringe services programs (SSPs) are a crucial legal and health intervention and multiple studies have shown the best model for SSPs is needs-based syringe distribution, in which SSP participants are provided with the quantity of supplies they need to use safely. Yet, many states require participants to return a used needle for every new needle they are given, resulting in undue health risks and other harms.

Resources

An Overview on Conducting a HIPAA Hybrid Entity Assessment for Local Public Health Departments

This issue brief helps public health practitioners and their attorneys understand how HIPAA applies to Local Public Health Departments (LHDs), the steps a LHD must take to become a HIPAA hybrid entity, and discusses how these decisions directly impact data sharing, operations, compliance burden, and risk.

Disaggregation of Public Health Data by Race and Ethnicity: A Legal Handbook

Detailed race and ethnicity data in public health is needed to adequately identify, assess, and address health inequities and structural racism, yet this type of data is often not utilized because of misunderstandings around the legality of collecting and sharing it. This legal handbook addresses the role of law in collecting and disseminating public health data disaggregated by race and ethnicity.

Webinars

It Takes a Village: Expanding the Types of Professionals Who Can Provide Reproductive Care for Improved Maternal Health Outcomes

April 18, 12:00 -1:30 CT

Learn about law and policy levers that can improve maternal health outcomes and increase access to reproductive health care, with concrete examples that can be implemented in any jurisdiction, regardless of laws regulating abortion care. This webinar will focus on state laws regulating access to direct-entry midwives and doulas and how improved access supports maternal health.

Worth Sharing

State and Local Privacy Officer Peer Groups

The Network’s State and Local Privacy Officer Peer Groups provide support, resources, and learning opportunities to privacy officers at public health agencies. Members participate in quarterly trainings and are included in a directory of state and local privacy officers. Members are also included in a privacy officer listserv through which they may connect directly with other privacy officers around the country. Join the State and/or Local Privacy Officer Peer group by completing a short sign-up form. For more information, contact Jeffrey Allen, Program Coordinator at jallen@networkforphl.org.

Job Opportunities

Finance Manager (Hybrid – Edina, MN)

The Network is seeking a Finance and Contracts Manager who will be responsible for financial tracking, reporting, and compliance; budget development and forecasting; monitoring contracts and contract terms and deliverables; and processing and tracking invoices. This position reports to the Deputy Managing Director.

Senior Staff Attorney, Mid-States Region (Remote)

The Network is seeking a public health Senior Attorney to work with its Mid-States Region. This position will assist the Network’s Mid-States Region to provide legal technical assistance, conduct training, develop tools and educational materials, and facilitate opportunities for networking and peer assistance on a wide variety of public health law topics. This position will focus on a variety of legal issues relating broadly to public health, social determinants of health and promoting racial and health equity. A preference may be given to attorneys who have a working knowledge of legal issues regarding collection and sharing of public health data.

Law Clerk, Health Equity (Remote)

The Network is seeking a law clerk to focus on legal issues regarding social determinants of health and health equity, with a focus on racial health equity. The Law Clerk will conduct in-depth research, assist with responding to legal technical assistance requests, and collaborate with the Health Equity attorneys to prepare written products and training materials.

Deputy Director, Harm Reduction Legal Project (Remote)

The Network is seeking a Deputy Director to support the Network’s Harm Reduction Legal Project. Under the direction of the Project Director, the Deputy Director will provide leadership and management for the project’s portfolio, support the team’s operations, and participate in strategic planning, management, and sustainability efforts. In addition, this position will provide and help coordinate legal technical assistance, the development of written materials, webinars and trainings, as well as conducting legal research and evaluation.

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Your interest in the work of the Network is important. Together, we can advance law as a tool to improve public health. Please forward the Network Report and encourage others to join the Network!

The Network for Public Health Law provides information and technical assistance on issues related to public health. The legal information and assistance provided in this document does not constitute legal advice or legal representation. For legal advice, readers should consult a lawyer in their state.

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