What are the legal implications of health care advocacy?

Health care advocacy is the act of attempting to improve the quality of health care delivered to individuals and to the general public. In Maryland, health care advocacy has legal implications that need to be considered before taking action. The first implication is that advocates must comply with all applicable laws when performing their advocacy work. They must not violate any of the regulations set by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or any other government agency. Advocates must also have a valid license to practice in the state or be supervised by someone who does. Advocates must also be aware of their own ethical framework. They should not engage in any activities that conflict with their own moral principles or the ethical standards of the practice in question. Many advocacy organizations subscribe to a specific code of ethics, such as the Code of Ethics for U.S. Health Care Advocates. Advocates should remember that their advocacy work is for the benefit of the patient. Anything they do should be aimed at improving the patient’s overall health and well-being, not their own financial gain. Since the outcome of their advocacy work may influence individuals’ lives, advocates should be certain to do their best to ensure that their efforts result in positive change. Finally, advocates must always be mindful of any legal issues that may arise. As advocates attempt to influence health care decisions, they may inadvertently step on the toes of health care providers or entities that have a legal right to make decisions for patients. Advocates must be mindful of this fact and should not take action on behalf of individuals unless they understand the legal implications of their actions.

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What are the legal implications of health care advocacy?

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