The Health Care Safety Net & Marginalized Populations
HPM 211
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
This course examines the U.S. health care safety net. We will analyze several key components of the health care system related to the care for low-income populations: Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, community health centers, public hospitals, and state-based programs. We will also explore issues related to the health care of underserved and marginalized populations including Native Americans, immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, individuals with disabilities, and people experiencing incarceration. We will draw on a variety of materials and learning approaches, such as research articles, case studies, newspaper editorials, and a classroom policy debate. No previous coursework required, but class participation and discussion are essential.
Priority given to: Due to limited class size, Health Policy & Management students will have first priority for enrollment. Students from other departments are invited to waitlist by application only: please send a one paragraph statement (no more than 300 words) describing why you are interested in this course and any other special circumstances you would like the professor to be aware of. The statement should be emailed to bsommers@hsph.harvard.edu and/or submitted directly as part of your enrollment petition to the Registrar by September 9th, 2026; applications received after that date will still be considered but on first-come, first-served basis.
Class Notes
*THERE IS AN IN-CLASS MIDTERM ON 11/24; THERE WILL BE A SINGLE ALTERNATIVE TEST TIME ON 11/20 AT NOON FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE TRAVELING FOR THANKSGIVING. If you are taking this course, you must take the test at one of those two times. If your travel plans preclude either option, you should not take the course.*
THIS CLASS HAS PRIORITY ENROLLMENT
Priority Wave Groups
Wave 1 | MPH-45 and MPH-65 Health Policy students, PhD Health Policy students
Wave 2 | All HPM students + PhD Health Policy students
Wave 3 | By application (see below)
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Priority Wave Timing
Wave 1 | 8/13/2026 11:00 AM - 8/23/2026 11:59 PM
Wave 2 | 8/24/2026 12:00 AM - 8/26/2026 11:59 PM
Wave 3 | 8/27/2026 12:00 AM Enrollment Deadline (varies by session)
Any student who does not meet the Wave 1 or Wave 2 criteria can add themselves to the waitlist (if enrollment requirements are met) at any time during the enrollment period. At the beginning of each priority wave, students on the waitlist who meet the Wave’s criteria will be automatically enrolled into any remaining seats in the course (pending no time conflicts).
**Cross-Registrants and Non-Degree Students will be enrolled on a space available basis after the enrollment deadline for the course.
Priority given to: Due to limited class size, Health Policy & Management students will have first priority for enrollment. Students from other departments are invited to waitlist by application only: please send a one paragraph statement (no more than 300 words) describing why you are interested in this course and any other special circumstances you would like the professor to be aware of. The statement should be emailed to bsommers@hsph.harvard.edu and/or submitted directly as part of your enrollment petition to the Registrar by September 9th, 2026; applications received after that date will still be considered but on first-come, first-served basis.
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
