Student publishes three articles on the intersection of health care and government

Julie Parrish JD'23

Julie Parrish JD’23 passed her first piece of Oregon legislation about health care several years ago.

She spent many years working in politics, in addition to serving eight years as a state representative. In doing so, she became increasingly knowledgeable about the intricacies of health care policies.

After building a successful career in politics and marketing, Parrish decided it was time to attend law school at Willamette. In many ways, she sees her education as a continuation of the work she has already devoted her life to and an opportunity to learn a new set of skills.

As a law student, she published three American Bar Association (ABA) articles in 2022 that focus on the intersection of health care and government.

“I think, philosophically, we all agree that we need health care — the real question is how?” she explains. “And that question of how we implement health care laws that are affordable and accessible is the focus of my work.”

In her first article published by the ABA Health Law Section, “Deciding Bodily Autonomy and Individual Privacy Rights: Should Jacobson v. Massachusetts be Overturned Based on Seminal Due Process Cases Decided Since 1905?,” Parrish explores the implications of COVID-19 policies on a patient’s fundamental privacy rights.

While writing the article, she found it particularly interesting to be dealing with constantly shifting COVID data and information.

“Every day, I was reading new articles and sources in order to be accurate before hitting ‘send’ on the final draft of the paper,” she says. “It was exciting to be working on this paper at the same time a new focus of health law was emerging, and all of it happening in real time.”

Simultaneously, Parrish was drafting her second article, “Evaluating Compulsory COVID-19 Vaccination Mandates.” As more information about the pandemic came to light, preparing for publication with the ABA required her to redo parts of the original paper she had turned in for a course grade. She says the additional work made her a better writer. Her editing process for the peer-reviewed articles pushed her to think critically about her sources, where she was getting her information, and to focus on the facts. As her articles were peer-reviewed, Parrish gained a great appreciation for the perspective and feedback of the multiple lawyers involved.

“To have these lawyers review my work, make recommendations, and challenge my perspective made me a stronger legal scholar,” Parrish says.

After publishing her third article, “Legal Implications and State Budget Ramifications if Voters Vote ‘Yes’ for Oregon Senate Joint Resolution 12 on Their November 2022 General Election Ballot,” and while anticipating her final semester of law school, Parrish hoped to write more and continue helping people understand more about health care and government.

“Not only has my time at Willamette helped me firmly understand the academic side of the law, soon I can go out and practice it and educate others about why this all matters,” Parrish says.

She credits Professor Bruce Howell for challenging her to think beyond the walls of the classroom and explore other ways to get involved in the legal system. It is her goal to encourage others to see beyond their own worldview and learn about the big issues facing the legal system. Her three articles were inspired largely by her understanding that “everything we learn in law school, any topic we cover, starts across the street at the state capitol.” She shares that “lawyers have an obligation to understand the law and what is going on in our government and to use that understanding in a fair and balanced manner.”

Following graduation, Parrish plans to continue doing the work she already has been focused on, but with an expanded set of tools.

“I think everyone in law school should push themselves to have an open mind and to see opportunity everywhere,” she says. “Walk across the street, knock on doors, seek out internships and find ways to make change. It all starts with your local government.”

Parrish completed her JD in May 2023 with both the Certificate in Health Law and the Certificate in Law and Government.