September 17 is Constitution Day

The United States Constitution is the formal document which divides the power of the federal government into its three branches. It is a four page document that was drafted in a closed session during the constitutional convention that was called in May of 1787 and concluded in September of that same year.

Special Features for 2007:

• Constitution Quiz from The Chronicle of Higher Education 2007 (log in needed)
  • Try last year's quiz! (log-in needed)
• Freedom's Treasures - learn about the role that New York State played in the history of the Constitution
• Liberty Day - resources for all ages

Previous Special Features:

• The Constitution in the News
• What Americans Don't Know About the Constitution

How does the Constitution impact the medical community?

While several rights are specifically covered within the document, such as the right to bear arms and the right to a speedy trial, there is no specific mention to a right to health care within the U.S. Constitution. This is unlike the Canadian Constitution which supports the provision of publicly funded health care via the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In 1984, the Canada Health Act further defined the country's health care system.

There is also no mention of the right to privacy within the U.S. Constitution. However, what has been established through several prominent Supreme Court cases is that privacy is a basic human right and therefore citizens can seek protection by virtue of the Ninth Amendment. The first such case was Griswold v. Connecticut (1965), the scope of which was expanded in 1972 by Eisenstadt v. Baird. The first case stating that personal privacy was a "fundamental right" was Paul v. Davis (1976); these rights were limited to marriage, procreation, contraception, family relationships, and child rearing and education.