<description>Vaccine policy in the United States is experiencing a period of great change under the direction of Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Schedules for young children are being adjusted, access to certain vaccines is being limited, and reporting requirements are being reduced. These changes will certainly impact attitudes and policy for years to come. This topic is the subject of the upcoming Center for Health Law Studies symposium. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Michael Sinha. Dr. Sinha is a professor in the Center for Health Law Studies and an expert in public health law. 

The symposium discussing this topic will be held on Friday, March 27.  Zoom and in person. MO CLE credits available. Register here: https://www.slu.edu/law/health/speakers-and-programs/symposia.php</description>

Vaccine policy in the United States is experienci…

Vaccine policy in the United States is experiencing a period of great change under the direction of Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Schedules for young children are being adjusted, access to certain vaccines is being limited, and reporting requirements are being reduced. These changes will certainly impact attitudes and policy for years to come. This topic is the subject of the upcoming Center for Health Law Studies symposium. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Michael Sinha. Dr. Sinha is a professor in the Center for Health Law Studies and an expert in public health law. 

The symposium discussing this topic will be held on Friday, March 27.  Zoom and in person. MO CLE credits available. Register here: https://www.slu.edu/law/health/speakers-and-programs/symposia.php

A Defining Moment for Vaccine and Science Policy - Professor Sinha

<description>The Trump Administration, alongside Iran, deployed targeted airstrikes against high-profile targets in Iran. This comes after weeks of talks between Washington and Iran on the latter's nuclear program. The public and political response has been mixed, with many concerned with the lack of Congressional authority and the regional flashpoints that are likely to ensue.

The conflict is complex both politically and historically. To unpack all that is at stake and what it means both here and abroad, we are joined by two of our faculty experts, Professor Gregory Willard and Fr. Afonso Seixas-Nunes, SJ. Professor Willard has a storied history in DC, where he served as President Ford's personal aide. Fr. Afonso is a faculty member in the Center for International and Comparative  Law. He is an expert on the law of war, with a special focus on autonomous weapon systems. </description>

The Trump Administration, alongside Iran, deploye…

The Trump Administration, alongside Iran, deployed targeted airstrikes against high-profile targets in Iran. This comes after weeks of talks between Washington and Iran on the latter's nuclear program. The public and political response has been mixed, with many concerned with the lack of Congressional authority and the regional flashpoints that are likely to ensue.

The conflict is complex both politically and historically. To unpack all that is at stake and what it means both here and abroad, we are joined by two of our faculty experts, Professor Gregory Willard and Fr. Afonso Seixas-Nunes, SJ. Professor Willard has a storied history in DC, where he served as President Ford's personal aide. Fr. Afonso is a faculty member in the Center for International and Comparative  Law. He is an expert on the law of war, with a special focus on autonomous weapon systems. 

Presidential Powers, Executive Authority, and the Conflict in the Middle East - Professor Seixas-Nunes and Willard

<description>The scaling back of federal administrative agencies currently being undertaken by the Trump Administration carries broad implications for the practice, administration, and enforcement of labor and employment law.  

At the most fundamental level, the reality of 200,000 fewer federal employees creates a strong likelihood of much less frequent enforcement of federal labor and employment laws. And this drop-off in federal personnel comes amid judicial reconsideration of the constitutionality of the federal statutes and administrative agencies that animate the federal structure.  It is hard not to imagine that all of this rollback will produce federal vacuums. And because nature abhors vacuums, these spaces are likely to be filled. Perhaps with state law. Perhaps with new amalgams of federal and state law that will replace the surprising and often underappreciated amalgams that have existed up to now. 

In this episode, we are joined by Professor Michael Duff. Professor Duff is the director of the William C. Wefel Center for Employment Law and the organizer of this year's Saint Louis University Law Journal symposium cohosted by the Center. For more information on the symposium, visit https://www.slu.edu/law/employment/events.php </description>

The scaling back of federal administrative agenci…

The scaling back of federal administrative agencies currently being undertaken by the Trump Administration carries broad implications for the practice, administration, and enforcement of labor and employment law.  

At the most fundamental level, the reality of 200,000 fewer federal employees creates a strong likelihood of much less frequent enforcement of federal labor and employment laws. And this drop-off in federal personnel comes amid judicial reconsideration of the constitutionality of the federal statutes and administrative agencies that animate the federal structure.  It is hard not to imagine that all of this rollback will produce federal vacuums. And because nature abhors vacuums, these spaces are likely to be filled. Perhaps with state law. Perhaps with new amalgams of federal and state law that will replace the surprising and often underappreciated amalgams that have existed up to now. 

In this episode, we are joined by Professor Michael Duff. Professor Duff is the director of the William C. Wefel Center for Employment Law and the organizer of this year's Saint Louis University Law Journal symposium cohosted by the Center. For more information on the symposium, visit https://www.slu.edu/law/employment/events.php 

Labor and Employment Law in an Era of Federal Rollback - Professor Michael Duff

<description>This year's United States Supreme Court session has had a particular impact on health care access across the country. From the Skrmetti decision affirming a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, to the Planned Parenthood decision that allows states to bar access to federal Medicaid funding for that provider regardless of the procedure, and the Braidwood case that concerns preventative care mandates in the Affordable Care Act, there is much at risk. To help us break down the decisions and the implications for health care access, we are joined by Kelly Gillespie. Professor Gillespie is the director of the Center for Health Law Studies. She is a registered nurse and holds both a JD and a PhD in Health Care Ethics. </description>

This year's United States Supreme Court session h…

This year's United States Supreme Court session has had a particular impact on health care access across the country. From the Skrmetti decision affirming a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, to the Planned Parenthood decision that allows states to bar access to federal Medicaid funding for that provider regardless of the procedure, and the Braidwood case that concerns preventative care mandates in the Affordable Care Act, there is much at risk. To help us break down the decisions and the implications for health care access, we are joined by Kelly Gillespie. Professor Gillespie is the director of the Center for Health Law Studies. She is a registered nurse and holds both a JD and a PhD in Health Care Ethics. 

The Supreme Court's Impact on Health Care Access - Professor Gillespie

<description>The United States has a maternal mortality issue. In 2021, the U.S. ranked 55th in the world for maternal mortality, by far the worst of any higher-income country. Even more concerning, Black women are disproportionately impacted and experience maternal mortality 2.6 times the rate for White women. Beyond the lack of access and ongoing systematic racism, a wave of hospital mergers has increased consolidation in the hospital industry, leaving vulnerable populations with no access to quality maternal care. Joining us today is Professor Theodosia Stavroulaki, who joined the Center for Health Law Studies Faculty in 2024. Professor Stavroulaki’s research has uncovered the overlooked impact of hospital mergers on maternal mortality and how antitrust law can influence the outcomes. Thank you for joining us today.</description>

The United States has a maternal mortality issue.…

The United States has a maternal mortality issue. In 2021, the U.S. ranked 55th in the world for maternal mortality, by far the worst of any higher-income country. Even more concerning, Black women are disproportionately impacted and experience maternal mortality 2.6 times the rate for White women. Beyond the lack of access and ongoing systematic racism, a wave of hospital mergers has increased consolidation in the hospital industry, leaving vulnerable populations with no access to quality maternal care. Joining us today is Professor Theodosia Stavroulaki, who joined the Center for Health Law Studies Faculty in 2024. Professor Stavroulaki’s research has uncovered the overlooked impact of hospital mergers on maternal mortality and how antitrust law can influence the outcomes. Thank you for joining us today.

The Hidden Cause of Maternal Mortality in the United States - Professor Stavroulaki

Each episode will be a 15-20 minute dive into a diverse mix of legal topics, explored by members of the Saint Louis University School of Law faculty.

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