Susan F. Zinn, J.D., will discuss her landmark case which ensured low-income mothers and their children will receive basic health services.
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Susan F. Zinn, J.D., will present “All the way to the U.S. Supreme Court: Advocating for the Poor Children of Texas” from noon to 12:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12, in Lecture Hall 2.104. Zinn’s lecture will focus on her 14-year legal battle to grant low-income mothers and children access to basic health care services.

A native San Antonian, Zinn earned her law degree from The University of Texas at Austin. She filed the lawsuit, Frew et al v. Hawkins et al, in 1992. The case was settled by consent degree in 1996, an agreement enforceable by the court. However, three years later, the situation had not improved because health officials claimed the courts had no authority to enforce the settlement agreement and pleaded immunity under the 11th Amendment. The amendment provides for state sovereignty where states cannot be sued by individuals in matters of federal court.

In 2002, the Fifth Circuit Court agreed that the settlement was not enforceable, but the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to examine the case and ruled unanimously in 2004 in favor of the plaintiff mothers and children.

The lecture is sponsored by the Health Science Center chapter of Frontera de Salud.

For more information, please contact Amanda Evrard, (210) 567-0821.