Legal issues and outcomes of a medical-legal partnership for cancer patients

The medical-legal partnership (MLP) model is a multidisciplinary intervention with demonstrated success in addressing health-harming legal needs. We analyzed initial data from the Georgetown University Health Justice Alliance's Cancer Legal Assistance and Well-being Project (Cancer LAW), an MLP between Georgetown University and MedStar Health serving cancer patients receiving care at an urban, safety-net hospital in Washington, D.C. The sample included 81 patients, who had an average of two legal issues, most commonly in the areas of Social Security, estate planning, housing, and health insurance. Data collected during legal representation captured both financial and non-financial benefits to patients. Patients who responded to a post-legal services survey reported reduced stress, and nearly 75% of survey respondents reported that legal services helped them maintain their treatment regimen. Further research, including on the impact of legal services on health outcomes, may be helpful in efforts to incorporate legal services as an accepted best practice in cancer care.