New partnerships strengthen capacity to protect access to health care as states implement harmful Medicaid and Affordable Care Act cuts
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) today announced the addition of four new Health Law Partnerships (HLPs), expanding its nationwide network of state-based legal advocacy organizations working to protect and improve access to health care for low-income and underserved communities.
The four new Health Law Partners are:
- Georgia Legal Services Program
- Minnesota Disability Law Center
- Montana Legal Services Association
- Pennsylvania Health Law Project
For more than 55 years, NHeLP has served as a vital resource, partner, and brain trust for state-based advocates and legal aid organizations working to improve access to health care for low-income people. Through the Health Law Partnership program, NHeLP provides funding and technical support to state-based organizations, empowering partners to dedicate significant time and resources to collaborative advocacy, enforcement, and litigation efforts tailored to their states’ unique needs.
With these additions, NHeLP now maintains Health Law Partnerships with highly experienced legal advocacy organizations in 26 states across the country, representing more than half of all states and strengthening the organization’s ability to respond to emerging threats to health care access through coordinated advocacy, enforcement, and litigation.
Together, the National Health Law Program and its partners create and execute strategies to address existing and emerging obstacles to health care access. NHeLP also works with partners to build and strengthen their capacity to engage in new and innovative advocacy projects that protect the rights of Medicaid enrollees and other underserved communities.
The expansion comes at a critical moment for Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage as states begin implementing the harmful provisions of the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The law imposes new work requirements, more frequent and burdensome eligibility redeterminations, increased cost-sharing requirements, restrictions on trusted family planning providers, reductions in federal support to states through provider tax restrictions, the exclusion of many immigrants from coverage, and rollbacks that threaten access to essential services, including gender-affirming care and sexual and reproductive health care.
“At a time when millions of people are at risk of losing health coverage and access to care, strong state-based advocacy has never been more important,” said Jennifer Cannistra, Executive Director of the National Health Law Program. “Our Health Law Partnerships allow us to combine NHeLP’s national expertise with the deep local knowledge and trusted community relationships of state advocates. Together, we are building the capacity needed to protect people’s rights, hold health systems accountable, and ensure that everyone can access the health care they need.”
“Montana is a large, rural state where low-income Montanans already face enormous barriers to health care access,” said Alison Paul, Executive Director of Montana Legal Services Association. “Joining NHeLP’s Health Law Partnership network gives MLSA the resources and national expertise to meet this moment — ensuring that changes to Medicaid and the ACA do not leave the people who can least afford to lose health coverage behind.”
“We are thrilled to join NHeLP’s Health Law Partnership network. At a moment when so much is at stake for Pennsylvanians’ health coverage, this collaboration could not come at a more critical time,” said Danna Casserly, Co-Executive Director of Pennsylvania Health Law Project. “We look forward to combining NHeLP’s national expertise with our deep roots in Pennsylvania to protect access to care for those who need it most.”
“We are very excited to join the Health Law Partnership Network and look forward to collaborating with NHeLP and the rest of the partner organizations to better serve Minnesotans with disabilities,” said Anne M. Robertson, Legal Director, Minnesota Disability Law Center.
“Health care is a core priority for Georgia Legal Services, and our advocates work with thousands of individuals and families each year to help remove legal barriers that keep them from accessing the care they need,” said Susan Coppedge, Executive Director of Georgia Legal Services Program. “We look forward to sharing knowledge and expertise with NHeLP and other members of the Health Law Partnership Network as we all rise to the challenges that our clients and communities will face in the coming months.”
About the National Health Law Program
The National Health Law Program protects and improves access to health care for low-income and underserved people and works to advance health equity. Through litigation, policy advocacy, education, and partnerships, NHeLP works to enforce health care and civil rights laws and advance equitable access to health care. Learn more at www.healthlaw.org.
About Georgia Legal Services Program
Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP) is a nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal services to Georgians with low incomes across 154 of the state’s 159 counties. Through its network of regional offices, GLSP helps clients address critical legal issues involving health care, public benefits, housing, education, family stability, and economic security. Learn more at www.glsp.org.
About Minnesota Disability Law Center
The Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC), a project of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, is Minnesota’s federally designated Protection and Advocacy organization for people with disabilities. MDLC provides free legal advocacy and representation to protect the rights of people with disabilities and promote access, inclusion, self-determination, and community integration throughout Minnesota. Learn more at www.mndlc.org.
About Montana Legal Services Association
Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to protecting and enhancing the civil legal rights of Montanans living in poverty. For more than 60 years, MLSA has provided free civil legal assistance to low-income people in all 56 Montana counties and on every Tribal reservation in the state, while working to advance systemic change and expand access to justice. Learn more at www.mtlsa.org.
About Pennsylvania Health Law Project
The Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) is a nonprofit legal services organization dedicated to helping people in need get the health care they deserve. Through free legal services, education, and policy advocacy, PHLP works to protect and advance access to health care for Pennsylvanians with low incomes, older adults, and people with disabilities. Learn more at www.phlp.org.
