Lawyers e-Journal
Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009
Featured pro bono opportunity: Health Law Advocates Inc.
October is Pro Bono
Month. The MBA urges members to expand their pro bono efforts
to help those who need legal services. Click here to view a list of companies and MBA
programs in need of volunteers. To view MBA President Valerie A.
Yarashus' letter to membership about Pro Bono Month, click here.
Mission: Health Law Advocates
provides free legal services to low-income people in Massachusetts
facing barriers with access to health care.
Volunteer activities: HLA's pro bono program is
called the Legal Network. Attorneys and law students receive two
e-mails a month that detail cases available for referral. HLA
manages the intake and referral process and is available for
consultation during cases. Many cases are resolved through advocacy
and negotiation; some matters involve litigation. Research projects
are also available for law students.
Populations: HLA represents people who live or
work in Massachusetts and are at or below 300 percent of the
federal poverty level. We have a particular emphasis on lower
income consumers, the chronically ill and other vulnerable
populations.
Legal areas: Health insurance coverage, billing
and collections by health care providers and public health
community benefits
Categories: Mental health issues, health care,
employment, education, disability law, civil rights and liberties,
benefits and prisoners
Requirements: Attorneys must complete a
registration form. HLA can provide liability insurance coverage for
attorneys who do not have their own insurance.
Short-term opportunities: Short-term research
projects on health access law
Contact: Matt Selig, executive director, 30
Winter St., Suite 1004, Boston, 02108; (617) 338-5241/(617)
338-5242 (fax); [e-mail selig]
Web: www.healthlawadvocates.org
Click here to view the March 2008 Lawyers
Journal profile on Health Law Advocates Inc.