A National Center Supports Growing Number of Medical-Legal Partnerships to Advocate for the Health of Children
Since 1993, the Medical-Legal Partnership for Children at Boston Medical Center has provided pediatric patients and their families with legal assistance on matters that can affect a child's health, such as lead levels in apartments or access to specialized care.
In late 2005, the partnership established the National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership to support the work of the growing number of such partnerships around the country.
Key Results
- The center awarded $675,000 to 26 sites, including three regional coalitions, and provided them with substantial technical assistance to support the establishment of medical-legal partnerships.
- The number of partnerships nationwide rose from about 30 in 2005 to 72 by the end of 2007.
- The medical-legal partnership model received recognition from three national health and legal organizations:
- The American Bar Association.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics.
- The American Hospital Association.
- The national center produced a report for policy-makers on the impact of high home energy costs on children's health.
- The center established an extensive communications and training program including annual conferences and a one-day curriculum, "Medical-Legal Partnership 101."