Internship Programs

Emily Spitzer Internship

The National Health Law Program’s Emily Spitzer Internship is developing the next generation of public interest health rights advocates. The paid internship, created in honor of former Executive Director Emily Spitzer, enables talented law students to spend a summer with the National Health Law Program, learning from its legal and policy experts, and gaining invaluable insight into the challenges of public interest advocacy. Through the Emily Spitzer Internship we are providing the tools for future generations of public interest lawyers and policy advocates to protect and further the health and civil rights of all people.

The Emily Spitzer Internship allows us to provide law students from law schools from all parts of the country with annual summer positions in each of our three offices – Washington, Los Angeles, and Chapel Hill. The National Health Law Program is committed to cultivating an environment that empowers an exceptional and diverse staff and to advancing health equity in our substantive work. We welcome applicants who represent that diversity and who will contribute to our equity journey, including people of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals.

Open Horizon Health Justice Internship

The Open Horizon Health Justice internship enables talented students to spend a summer with the National Health Law Program, learning from its legal and policy experts and gaining invaluable insight into the challenges and possibilities of public interest advocacy. Through the Open Horizon Health Justice internships, we are developing the next generation of public interest health rights advocates and providing experiential learning opportunities while also providing valuable support to NHeLP’s staff in their important work.

This paid internship is funded by Open Horizon, a foundation dedicated to leveling the playing field. Through policy advocacy, educational opportunities, and support for programs that open possibilities to those who would not otherwise have them, Open Horizon seeks to improve lives, expand learning, and develop leadership skills. Their vision is of a world where an open horizon is available, and access to education and economic opportunity, as well as health justice, are within reach.

Communications Internship

The National Health Law Program’s Communications Internship, now in its eighth year, aims to familiarize students with the vital work of nonprofit communications advocacy. Communications interns join NHeLP’s committed team of advocates working to strengthen and expand health care access. Participants in this internship work closely with the Communications Team to amplify NHeLP’s voice and increase visibility of our work. Interns will learn about the health law and policy issues we address, enabling effective communication about our initiatives and emerging health advocacy trends.

Internship projects include supporting the Communications Team with social media management, media outreach, tracking media coverage, graphic design, video and content creation, messaging, and other projects as needed.

Summer Intern 2026 Training Series

Attorneys and policy analysts from the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) will conduct a series of webinar training for new attorneys, advocates, and law students serving as summer interns with legal aid, protection and advocacy, and other public interest organizations. These free webinars will examine important health law and policy issues for low-income and underserved populations.

To register for any of the upcoming webinars, please click the link(s) below:

  • May 27, 2026: Introduction to NHeLP and Hot Topics for 2026 (Recording forthcoming)
  • May 29, 2026: MAGI 101 (Register here)
  • June 3, 2026: Medicaid Prescription Drug Coverage (Register here)
  • June 8, 2026: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Medicaid (Register here)
  • June 11, 2026: Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice (Register here)
  • Jul 16, 2026: Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Services (EPSDT) – Medicaid’s Enhanced Services for Children (Register here)

Webinars for Students