October 2009

In this issue...

Welcome

Current Developments

Upcoming Events

News

Editorial Board:
Julie Mahomed
  - Editor-in-Chief
Megan Tortorich
  - New & Events Director
Stephanie Lawyer
  - Head Articles Editor
Emily Munson
  - Articles Editor 1
Sarah Orme
  - Articles Editor 2

Committee Members:
Victoria Anderson
K.E. Casey
Bryan Repetto

Advisor:
Heather McCabe
  - Executive Director

Welcome

Current Developments

Vaccines: The Immunization Question Professor David Orentlicher, MD, JD Samuel R. Rosen Professor of Law Co-director, Hall Center for Law and Health The public's health has been greatly improved by the development of vaccines. Smallpox has been eradicated, polio is exceedingly rare in the United States, and other formerly common infectious diseases, like measles, mumps and chicken pox, occur infrequently in most communities.  When a vaccine that could protect against cervical cancerwas developed, we might have expected rapid incorporation of the vaccine into the list of immunizations required by states. Yet that has not been the case. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine story teaches us some important lessons about efforts to adopt legal mandates for immunization. [full story...] Professor Kinney Testifies Before House Committee on Energy and Commerce at Indiana Field Hearing On Monday, July 27, 2009, Eleanor D. Kinney, Hall Render Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Hall Center for Law and Health, testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's field hearing in New Albany, Indiana. She testified as an expert on insurance and health law before the captioned field hearing. The links to the advisory of the hearing and Professor Kinney's testimony are below. [full story...] J.D. and LL.M Grad Honored by Indianapolis Mayor By K.E. Casey, 3L When Janna Shisler entered law school, she had not considered working in the area of disability rights. However, she soon found such work to be a life-long calling-and for her advocacy she was awarded the 2009 James Pauley Lifetime Service Award. Shisler was one of three award recipients honored by Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and the Mayor's Advisory Council on Disability as part of the 2009 Access and Inclusion Awards. Shisler, who graduated with her J.D. in 1988, is disabled from a hayride accident in college. [full story...] Harm in Misconception: Autism and Vaccination By Megan Tortorich, 3L Background Autism spectrum disorders are a "group of pervasive developmental disorders characterized by impaired communication and social interaction as well as restricted and repetitive interests and behaviors".1Included within the term "autism" are potential diagnoses of other pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified and Asperger's disorder.2 [full story...]

Upcoming Events

News

Professor Quigley Presents New Book on Fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa Visiting professor Fran Quigley will be presenting his book, Walking Together, Walking Far: How a U.S. and African Medical School Partnership is Winning the Fight against HIV/AIDS, on November 12th at the IUPUI Faculty Club. Quigley's presentation is part of the "Reading at the Table" series, which profiles IUPUI authors and provides an opportunity for selected authors to present their work to the IUPUI community. Professor Quigley to discuss Human Rights at ABA Conference Visiting professor Fran Quigley will be presenting at the ABA conference, "HIV/AIDS and the Rule of Law: Human Rights at Home and Abroad," at Notre Dame University on September 11. Quigley will be discussing the Legal Aid Centre of Eldoret (LACE), a human rights legal clinic integrated into one of the world's largest HIV/AIDS and poverty control programs, the IU School of Medicine-founded and Nobel Peace Prize-nominated AMPATH program in western Kenya. Quigley is associate director of AMPATH and co-founder of LACE. Professor Eleanor Kinney Speaks on Public Radio about MRSA Issues Professor Eleanor DeArman Kinney, co-director of the William S. and Christine S. Hall Center for Law and Health at the Indiana University School of Law- Indianapolis, was a guest on the August 22-23 episode of Public Radio show Sound Medicine, hosted by Barbara Lewis and produced by the Indiana University School of Medicine. She discussed some of the nuances of the current health insurance crisis and how the insured might be affected by health care reform legislation. Sound Medicine is underwritten by Clarian Health, IU Medical Group and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Listen to the show on line: http://www.soundmedicine.iu.edu. Professor Edwards Lectures on History of Human Rights, International Trade and the Right to Health On July 23 and 24, 2009, Professor George E. Edwards participated in an international conference in Taipei, Taiwan sponsored by the Asian Centre for the World Trade Organization and International Health Law and Policy. The WTO Centre is part of New Taiwan University, the premier university in Taiwan. At the Taipei conference, Professor Edwards delivered a paper entitled "Human Rights and International Trade: From the 17th Century Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade to Hurricane Katrina, the World Trade Organization (WTO), Human Trafficking and the Right to Health." Professor Edwards' presentation coincided with several occurrences related to race, race relations and the vestiges of slavery in the United States: a U.S. Congressional apology for slavery and segregation of African Americans; President Obama's visit to the Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, from which millions of Africans were dispatched to slavery in America through the "Door of No Return": and the controversy surrounding the arrest of preeminent African American Harvard Professor Gates. (Professor Edwards is pictured above, fourth from the right, with colleagues from across Asia at the International Health Law and Policy conference.) Professor Eleanor Kinney Speaks on Public Radio about the Flu Outbreak On May 1, 2009, Professor Eleanor DeArman Kinney spoke on Minnesota Public Radio during a segment entitled "Flu outbreak and the public health response." Professor Kinney was one of a panel of experts consulted on the topic. She is co-director of the Hall Center for Law and Health and holds the Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman Professorship at the Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis. Listen to the show. Mary Beth Claus, '86 To Become Senior Counsel at Cleveland Clinic Mary Beth Claus, '86 will become Senior Counsel at the Cleveland Clinic where she will be responsible for the medical center's health care regulatory matters. Claus was a member of Baker & Daniels health and life sciences team where she represented clients on federal and state regulatory issues. Currently a partner at Baker & Daniels, LLP, she said "It is with mixed emotions that I'm making a change in my legal career. I am looking forward to this exciting new challenge, but I thoroughly enjoyed working with outstanding colleagues and friends at Baker & Daniels." Tom Froehle, the firm's chair and chief executive partner said "Mary Beth has been a tremendous partner at Baker & Daniels. Although we will miss her greatly at the firm, this is a terrific opportunity, and I am confident that she will serve the Cleveland Clinic well." Claus has been named to The Best Lawyers in America and Indiana Super Lawyers, including the distinction of being one of Indiana's top 25 female lawyers. She has been active in the community serving on the board of directors for the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, MDWise, Inc. and the Wishard Memorial Foundation. Claus is also a member of the American Health Lawyers Association. Student Wins Title Emily Munson (2L) won the title of "Ms. Wheelchair Indiana", a competition for Indiana women in wheel chairs who are advocates. She is the incoming president of the Health Law Society and part of her platform as Ms. Wheelchair Indiana is advocating for the disabled to have a voice in emergency preparedness planning. Annual Conference Focuses on Autism and Vaccines The seventh annual Conference on Health, Disability and the Law took place at Inlow Hall on June 12 and attracted a large crowd to the Wynne Courtroom. This year's conference focused on "Autism and Vaccines," and featured keynote speaker, Paul Offit, MD, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and the director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The conference was co-sponsored by the law school, its Hall Center for Law and Health, and the Riley Child Development Center of the IU School of Medicine. The conference provided several presentations on the issues surrounding autism and vaccination, including a discussion of what the research does and does not suggest. Related topics included the impact of the vaccination discussion on school policies and procedures, methods for professionals to use when talking with parents about vaccines, and ethical and policy implications. New this year was the Health, Disability and the Law Student Lecture, featuring law student speaker Matthew Lasher, who presented on the topic, "Hoosier Immunity: Examining Mandatory Vaccinations and Recommending Improvements to Indiana's Programs." Young Professional Students Fundraiser and Mixer The Young Professionals Fundraiser and Mixer was held September 25 at the Hard Rock Café in Indianapolis. Students in attendance represented Indiana University law, medical, dental, public health, and social work schools. The goal of the program was two-fold: introduce students who share an interest in health and raise money for March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. This event was so popular, and so highly attended, that organizers look forward to another event soon. A special thanks to March of Dimes and Hard Rock Café for sponsoring and hosting the successful event! Health Care Policy Forum The students at Butler organized a simple, yet informative, discussion about health care. The panel consisted of four very knowledgeable speakers: Dr. Eric Wright, Indiana University SPEA associate dean; Zachary Cattell, J.D., Baker & Daniels; Allison Luthe, Jobs with Justice; and Lauren Koors, an IUPUI student. The advertisement slogan was very reflective of how the evening unfolded: "No screaming, no yelling, just facts; a grown-up discussion about health care." The speakers spent the first part of the evening introducing themselves, and providing some personal insight about the health care debate. The second part of the evening allowed students to ask questions. In attendance were undergraduate, law, and medical students - from multiple Indianapolis-area universities - as well as working adults with an interest in the topic. The diverse questions resulted in a unique discussion. September Meet-UP! A small group of law students and Masters in Public Health students sat down for lunch with Dr. Aaron Carrol at Iaria's on September 25. Dr. Carroll spoke briefly about the topics covered in his book, "Don't Swallow Your Gum!," but focused much of his time responding to questions from surrounding students. The relaxed atmosphere at Iaria's restaurant created an informal environment in which to discuss the various complexities of the health care debate. Dr. Carroll addressed all of the student's questions, comments, and concerns. He responded with factual research and objective recommendations. Although the health care discussion was a highlight, the biggest excitement stemmed from Dr. Carroll's celebrity status - just two months ago, he made an appearance on the Colbert Report. His July 21, 2009 appearance can be found at the following link: http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/239370/july-21-2009/aaron-carroll

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