Article: Study shows improved patient well-being, access to food and income supports after MLP services
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
A 36-month study was conducted in California to examine the impact of clinic- and hospital-based legal services on fifty-four families in a pediatric setting. The results, published in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, showed that two-thirds of respondents reported improved child health and well-being due to increased awareness and use of free legal services and increased access to food and income supports. The study suggests that adding a legal aid attorney to the medical team can increase access to legal and social services and decrease barriers to care.