Business Law, Public Responsibility, and Ethics Commons^™

Revitalizing The Healthcare Market: An Analysis Of Hospital Pricing Transparency Compliance, Ellie Bruggeman

Business and Economics Summer Fellows

The healthcare industry is one of the most praised industries in the US due to its lifesaving capabilities and immersive care. Consumers regularly report that are satisfied with the care they receive from their physicians. Conversely, they also report frustrations and confusions associated with the costs of such care. In extreme cases, this frustration can turn to financial ruin as medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the US. The healthcare industry does not operate in congruence with other markets, largely due to the presence of insurance and other third-party payers. The undisclosed interactions between third party payers …

Dentistry And The Law: Did I Commit Fraud?, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The dentist is under audit by a dental plan due to issues with claims, but inattention or mistakes do not necessarily constitute fraud. For fraud to be established, specific conditions must be proven, including knowledge, intent, and damage to the dental plan. The burden of proof is high for criminal fraud, making it unlikely in this situation. The dentist's main concern should be a breach of their participation agreement and the need for better billing practices.

Commentary: What Makes Membership Matter, Michael G. Maihofer Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The American Dental Association (ADA) is facing a drastic decline in membership, with market share dropping to 59%. To combat this trend, the ADA focuses on early-career dentists and a strategic forecasting initiative to align with their values. However, there is concern that the language and approach are shifting towards treating members as customers rather than dental professionals. This shift raises questions about the commitment of new dentists to professional associations. The challenge lies in listening to member concerns and delivering values like professional support, ethics, and advocacy to make membership meaningful.

Evaluation Of The Practice Of Community Pharmacists In Amaran City In Yemen To Community Pharmacy Profession During The Coronavirus Pandemic (Covid-19) – A Field Study, Mohammed Qatinah, Abdulaziz Saran, Yasser Al-Salaway, Rasha Hobish, Munif Shaalan

Journal of the Arab American University مجلة الجامعة العربية الامريكية للبحوث

The study aimed to assess the practice of community pharmacists in Amran City of the profession of community pharmacy during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The study used the descriptive approach, using a questionnaire that was distributed in October 2020, to a sample of (91) community pharmacists working in pharmacies in Amran City. The results of the study showed that the mean of the responses of the sample members about practicing the profession of community pharmacy amounted to (4.1262) with a standard deviation of (0.306) which is high, the mean of the axis of the precautionary measures reached (3.9135) with a …

Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics (Stem) Project-Based Learning (Pbl) Education: A New Mexico Case Study For Equity And Inclusion, Kimberly A. Scheerer

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

This research addresses how student participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) project-based learning (PBL) education activities encourages underrepresented minority student achievement in STEM career field trajectories. Seven New Mexico high school counselors and 12 STEM organization personnel were interviewed during this study. Their responses represent the nuanced professional voices where New Mexico public education intersects with STEM student interest and cultural influence.

For students, STEM PBL can foster deep integration across educational disciplines and enhance STEM career trajectory interest and readiness. STEM education converged with PBL methodologies has the ability to leverage community support while broadening student networks. …

Is The 340b Hospitals Battle At The Supreme Court Over?, Casey W.. Baker, Susan W. Lanham, Alberto Coustasse

Accounting Faculty Research

Under the Federal 340B Program, hospitals and eligible health care clinics that serve low income or rural populations can qualify for federally negotiated manufacturer discounts on purchases of prescription drugs. Approximately 50,000 entities participate in the 340B program, where pharmaceutical manufacturers are instructed to supply outpatient medications to participating providers at discounted rates of 20% to 50%. Participating hospitals depend on profits from the differential between their reimbursement for these drugs and the discounted rates they disburse to finance affordable patient care in underserved communities. On June 15, 2022, the US Supreme Court ruled that major cuts to 340B payments …

Employment Discrimination’S Impact On African American’S Professional And Personal Lives, Trey D. Williams

Information Systems Undergraduate Honors Theses

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate against a person because of their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The law also protects individuals from retaliation if they complain about discrimination, participate in an employment discrimination proceeding, or reasonably oppose discrimination. Although Title VII makes discrimination illegal, it is still present in the workplace. The objective of this thesis is to discuss employee discrimination based on race and sex. Specifically, I will analyze the current workplace discrimination against African American men and women as well as the psychological, physiological, and emotional effects …

Dentistry And The Law: Can Dental Plan Ratings Be Defamatory?, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article discusses the legal implications of dental plan ratings for dentists. If a dental plan assigns a rating to dentists and publishes it to patients without providing specific information about the rating's basis or an opportunity for dentists to contest it, legal recourse may be limited. Currently, no statutory law regulates such ratings, leaving dentists potentially vulnerable to defamatory ratings. Under Michigan law, dentists could sue for defamation, but proving the rating's falseness and the resulting loss of patients may be challenging. Federal regulation is suggested to ensure fairness, transparency, and protection for dentists subjected to involuntary ratings.

J Mich Dent Assoc July 2022

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Monthly, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and feature articles to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists! In this July 2022 issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A cover feature on negotiating reimbursement rates with PPO contracts.
• A cover feature on guarding against employee embezzlement.
• A 10-Minute EBD on rampant caries management and prevention with ADHD patients taking stimulant medications.
• A Back Page look at the 2022 MDA award winners.
• News you need: an Editorial, guidance on dental practice cybersecurity, and regular department …

Dentistry And The Law: Risk Of Employment Discrimination In Job Advertisements, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Employment discrimination in job advertisements that include religious references, such as statements like "faith-based practice" or symbols like crosses, is a legal concern. Federal and Michigan state laws, particularly the Elliot Larson Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), prohibit discrimination in employment, encompassing various protected classes. ELCRA applies to all employers in Michigan, regardless of their size. Violating ELCRA can lead to legal consequences, including injunctive relief and compensatory damages. Including such references or symbols in job ads can be used as evidence against employers in discrimination claims, even if rejected candidates have lesser qualifications. Publishers of these ads are also at …

Staff Matters: Independent Contractor Or Temporary Employee?, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Determining whether temporary hygienists should be classified as independent contractors or employees requires careful consideration. While treating them as independent contractors offers advantages, such as avoiding payroll taxes and paperwork, it must align with specific IRS criteria. The classification hinges on the degree of control the practice exerts over their work, encompassing behavioral and financial control. If the practice significantly controls aspects like duties, hours, and business aspects, it may be wiser to classify them as employees. The IRS provides a form (SS-8) to assess the relationship in-depth. Additionally, if hygienists request employee status and you cannot definitively prove otherwise, …

A Circular Economy Approach To Improve E-Waste Recycling In California: Economic Potential And Policy Options, Kripa Shah

Master's Projects and Capstones

The higher consumption rates of electronic devices along with their short life cycles and few repair options poses a huge challenge for E-waste industries to manage them effectively. E-waste comprises of hazardous materials and toxic constituents that can affect the environment and public health through improper disposal. However, they also contain few valuable materials that, if recovered, can reduce the dependence on virgin raw materials. Circular economy has the potential to utilize these valuable materials and gain environment and socio-economic benefits. The research explains how the adoption of a circular economy approach can help improve the E-waste recycling in California …

Staff Matters: Employees On Military Leave, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This Staff Matters column addresses an employer's concern about an employee being deployed for military service and explores options for managing the situation. The response emphasizes the application of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The article highlights that USERRA, applicable to all employers regardless of size, mandates unpaid leave for military service members and outlines re-employment rights. Practical suggestions for coping with the absence, including hiring temporary staff and having a clear policy in the employee handbook, are provided. The column also hints at future articles …

News You Need: Reminder: What You Must Know About Antitrust Law, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This reminder emphasizes the critical importance for dentists, particularly members of organizations like the Michigan Dental Association, to understand antitrust laws and their implications. The U.S. Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission actively pursue antitrust violations among physicians and dentists. The article outlines key aspects of the Sherman Antitrust Act, emphasizing that joint activities among independent dentists that restrain competition may lead to violations. The concept of joint action and the restraint on competition are explored, with a focus on potential pitfalls, such as price-fixing and group boycotts. Dentists are urged to stay informed to avoid legal consequences.

Dentistry And The Law: Responding To Internet Criticism And Hipaa Considerations, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This Dentistry and the Law column addresses the challenge of responding to online criticism as a healthcare professional, particularly dentists. The question involves a patient posting false and damaging information online, leading to concerns about reputation and the desire to set the record straight. The response outlines the limitations imposed by HIPAA on using patient information for such purposes and explores the legal complexities in pursuing recourse. The column advises against responding directly to negative online posts, emphasizing proactive reputation management through online advertising and patient testimonials.

N Y State Dent J January 2022

The New York State Dental Journal

In the January 2022 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• A Call to Do Better: Addressing Diversity within the Dental Profession
• Moving on in the New Year
• Destination Dental School: A Remote Pipeline Program to Increase Student Diversity
• Alteration in Facial Contour Associated with Aging

This issue includes regular columns with regional news impacting the New York membership including: editorial and perspectives columns, legal, association activities, component news, continuing education opportunities, and classifieds.

Navigating The Impact Of Covid-19 On Small Commercial Businesses And Insurance Companies, And A Call To Action For Future Communicable Disease Outbreaks, Natalie Peña

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

The short-term and long-term effects of Covid-19 have caused many small commercial businesses to face financial hardships, loss of employees, and even closures for entities that were already experiencing low profit margins. Distraught with their businesses suffering, owners turned to their primary insurance companies to receive compensation through their business interruption policies. However, most insureds were upset when they discovered that their insurance plans did not include communicable diseases and pandemics as a covered peril. This led to many small businesses battling these issues in the courts and fighting for insurance companies to provide financial assistance to them during this …

J Mich Dent Assoc November 2021

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• Cover stories with a “Focus on Advocacy: Helping Dentistry Succeed”, including “MDA Dental PAC: What It Is and Why It Matters “, “2021 Advocacy Success — and More to Come “, and “Dental Programs Maintained in 2021-22 State Budget”.
• A feature article on “The Anishinaabe Dental Outreach Program”.
• A feature article, “How Your Website and …

Understanding Pandemic Contact Tracing From A Design Thinking Perspective, Nancy K. Lankton, Avinandan Mukherjee, Kaustav Mukherjee

Accounting Faculty Research

Because of its highly infectious nature and ability to spread from non-symptomatic people, pandemics can bring society and businesses to a standstill and death to hundreds of thousands of people across the world. Public health experts point to four Ts in successful epidemiological control, namely, test, trace, track, and treat. Since COVID-19 has no effective treatment, contact tracing has been a vital part of COVID-19 disease control and focuses on identifying and isolating people who have come into contact with individuals who have tested positive for the disease. Early surveys show that individuals are not comfortable with all contact tracing …

J Mich Dent Assoc October 2021

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A cover story, “Welcoming Colleagues from Different Practice Models”.
• A feature article from the Journal’s DEI series, “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Perspectives from an LGBTQ Dentist”.
• A feature article, “Congratulations, 2021 MDA Life Members!”.
• News you need, Editorial and regular department articles on MDA Foundation activities, Dentistry and the Law, Staff Matters, and component news. …

Monetary Incentives For Producing Counterfeit, Adulterated, And Misbranded Medicine: Case Studies And Examples, Heather R. Campbell, Robert A. Lodder

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Pharmaceutical fraud can be very profitable. Those working in pharmaceuticals are in a tempting position as the nature of the product and supply is complex, making detection of fraud difficult and expensive. However, a reliable pharmaceutical supply can often be a life-or-death situation for patients. Thus, when detection of fraud occurs, a Regulator's Dilemma often emerges (recall a drug for which a supplier is the sole source, or allow a substandard product to be sold)—generally resulting in pharmaceutical companies receiving minimal penalties even for the worst acts. Despite pharmaceutical companies' unique leverage over regulators and profitability, studies are rare …

J Mich Dent Assoc June 2021

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A cover story “Team-Based Treatment of Oral Cancer: The U-M Experience”.
• A feature article, “Dental Management of the Head and Neck Cancer Patient Treated with Radiation Therapy: Update 2021”.
• A feature article on “Understanding Cyber Threats and the Risk they Pose to Your Practice”.
• "A Train-the-Trainer Education Model and Rural Dental Opioid Prescribing Outcomes”, a …

J Mich Dent Assoc May 2021

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A cover story “3D Printing in Dentistry: Concepts, Technologies, and Applications”.
• An interview with new MDA President Dr. Mike Maihofer.
• The MDA award-winners for 2021.
• A feature article, “Things to Know about the New e-Prescribing Law”.
• News you need, Editorial and regular department articles on MDA Foundation activities, Dentistry and the Law, Staff Matters, and …

Hidden Sugar And Its Bitter Obstacles For The Wellbeing Of Consumers, Ai Nhan Ngo

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

This research paper explores issues pertaining to, and raises awareness about, high sugar intake among consumers, which causes several consequential health risks. The paper also points out various obstacles preventing consumers from reducing their high sugar consumption. These obstacles come from policymakers, policy influencers, the sugar industry, the food industry, and consumers themselves. For some obstacles, involvement of multiple parties was found. The research also discusses several possible solutions for improving a healthy consumption environment for consumer wellbeing.

J Mich Dent Assoc March 2021

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A cover story, “Vaccination by Dentists: Integrating Vaccination into Dental Practice”.
• A feature article on “Creating Opportunities for HPV Awareness and Prevention in Dental Health Care Settings”.
• The feature article, “MDA Legislative Advocacy 2021: What We’ve Done and What’s to Come”.
• “How COVID-19 Has Impacted Michigan Dentists”, a feature article.
• News you need, Editorial and …

J Mich Dent Assoc February 2021

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A feature article on “Pediatric Dentistry: Care for Our Youngest Patients in the Challenging Time”.
• A feature article, “The Hall Technique: A Minimally Invasive, Non-aerosol Approach for the Decayed Primary Molar”.
• The feature article, “Delayed Antibiotic Prescribing: A Simple Strategy to Promote Antibiotic Stewardship”.
• ”Dentistry and the Current State of the Opioid Epidemic in Michigan”, …

J Mich Dent Assoc January 2021

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A cover story on “The Dentist’s Role in Recognizing Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children”.
• A feature article, “Dental Sleep Medicine Education: Do You Want a Nap or a Full Night’s Sleep?”.
• The feature article, “In-office Plans: Where Are We Now? What Have We Learned?”
• News you need, Editorial and regular department articles on MDA Foundation activities, …

Towards A Holistic Risk Model For Safeguarding The Pharmaceutical Supply Chain: Capturing The Human-Induced Risk To Drug Quality, Heather R. Campbell

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Counterfeit, adulterated, and misbranded medicines in the pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC) are a critical problem. Regulators charged with safeguarding the supply chain are facing shrinking resources for inspections while concurrently facing increasing demands posed by new drug products being manufactured at more sites in the US and abroad. To mitigate risk, the University of Kentucky (UK) Central Pharmacy Drug Quality Study (DQS) tests injectable drugs dispensed within the UK hospital. Using FT-NIR spectrometry coupled with machine learning techniques the team identifies and flags potentially contaminated drugs for further testing and possible removal from the pharmacy. Teams like the DQS are …

J Mich Dent Assoc December 2020

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A cover story on “The Dentist’s Role in Recognizing Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders: A Two-Part Series”.
• The “2020 Author/Title Index to the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association”.
• News you need, Editorial and regular department articles on MDA Foundation activities, Dentistry and the Law, Staff Matters, and component news.

This issue also includes three articles reprinted …

J Mich Dent Assoc November 2020

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• Feature articles on how “Routine Blood Lead Testing During Pregnancy Empowers Future Dental Caries and Neurotoxicity Research”, how to “Recoup Your Dues and More with MDA-Endorsed Programs”, and your “2021 MDA Membership Benefits Guide”.
• News you need, Editorial and regular department articles on MDA Foundation activities, Dentistry and the Law, Staff Matters, 10-Minute EBD, Headquarters …