Chapter 3 Flashcards
Three primary functions of the Constitution:
- 3.
Three primary functions of the Constitution:
- to allocate power between the federal gov’t and the states (federalism)
- to divide power among the three branches (separation of powers)
- to limit gov’t power (protection of individual liberties)
The Necessary and Proper Clause in Article I, S 8 of the Constitution
- Permits Congress to employ all means reasonably appropriate to achieve the objectives of the enumerated national powers
- This “implied powers” doctrine has enabled the federal gov’t to expand greatly the network of public health regulation
The “reserved powers” doctrine
(The 10th Amendment, basically, holds that…)
Holds that states may exercise all the powers inherent in gov’t
All the authority necessary to govern that is neither granted to the fed gov’t nor prohibited to the states.
*parens patriae *power
protecting the interests of minors and incompetent persons
Preemption
- What is the basis for it?
- What does it mean?
- A rule of law stating that if Congress has enacted legislation on a subject matter, it takes precedence over state or local laws
- stems from the Supremacy Clause in the Constitution
By the authority of the Supremacy Clause, Congress may______.
Preempt, or supersede, state public health regulation, even if the state is acting squarely within its police powers
The ____ creates health policy and allocates the resources necessary to effect it.
The legislature creates health policy and allocates the resources necessary to effect it.
The _____ branch enforces health policy
The **executive **branch enforces health policy
Public Health Agencies
Federal
State
Local
Federal: Health and Human Services
Public Health Depts at the state and local level
The judiciary’s task
to interpret laws and resolve legal disputes
The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that a government act that causes harm is _____, while gov’t _____ in an existing state of affairs is not.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that a government act that causes harm is actionable, while gov’t passivity in an existing state of affairs is not.
Two exceptions to the “no duty to protect” rule
- the gov’t has a duty to a person placed in a custodial setting such as a prison or mental institution who, by reason of the deprivation of liberty, is unable to care for him/herself
- the gov’t has an obligation to protect a person if the state increased the threat of harm so that it is responsible for creating the danger
Definition of The Police Power
- authority inherent in the state to enact laws; promulgate regulations, and adjudicate to:
- Protect, Preserve, and Promote
- Restrict Private Interests (within Federal and State Constitutional Limits)
In America, the parens patriae function belongs to the _____
States
The state, as the *parens patriae, *has the authority to
protect the welfare of persons who are unable to understand the nature and consequences of their decisions and who require protection in their own interests
The parens patriae function is asserted not only to protect incompetent individuals but also to _____.
To safeguard the general community interests in health, welfare, and economic benefit.
- This meaning is used to describe a state’s standing or right to sue in court to promote the communal interests
5 Federal Constitutional powers to protect the public’s health
- Regulate Interstate Commerce
- Tax and Spend
- Protect Intellectual Property
- Ratify Treaties
- Enforce Reconstruction Era Amendments (slavery, equal protection, voting)
Public Health Application for “Regulate Interstate Commerce”?
The commerce power has been used in the fields of environmental protection, food and drug safety, occupational health, and other public health matters
Public Health Application for “Tax and Spend”?
- To raise revenue to provide for the good of the community
- Affords financial resources to provide health services; also affords power to regulate risk behavior and influence health-promoting activities