MLP for Health Act

MLP Federal Demonstration Project

On September 22, 2011, the Medical-Legal Partnership for Health Act was introduced by Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee chairman Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), along with Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Daniel Inouye (D-HI).

The legislation calls for a federal demonstration project for MLPs, which will create, strengthen and evaluate 60 MLP programs across the country.

The National Center is deeply grateful to the senators for their leadership and vision, and to the MLP Network, whose passion and commitment helped to make this legislation a reality.

S. 1609 is identical to the bills that were introduced in July 2010 by Senators Harkin, Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Kit Bond (R-MO), and Representatives Dan Maffei (NY-25) and Chris Murphy (CT-5).

To read Senator Harkin's powerful floor speech detailing the MLP model and impact, please click here.

Click here to read the HELP Committee press release, or here to read the National Center press release.

Full text of the Senate bill is available at the U.S. Library of Congress.

Capitol Hill Day 2011

On March 23, 2011, medical-legal partnership teams met with dozens of Congressional offices on Capitol Hill to educate them about MLP and its positive impact on vulnerable populations across the country. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Members and their staff were eager to support the work of local partnerships and the MLP Network, a testament to the important and valuable services MLPs provide.

The National Center, along with staff from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, also hosted a briefing, "MLP: Improving Health and Lowering Health Care Costs" featuring:

John A. Bastulli, MD
Chairman, Legislative Committee
Academy of Medicine of Cleveland & Northern Ohio

Thomas M. Susman, JD
Director, Government Affairs Office
American Bar Association

Ellen Lawton, JD
Executive Director
National Center for MLP

Click here for Dr. Bastulli's testimony.

Click here for photos from the briefing and more.

Ongoing Outreach

The National Center for MLP encourages sites to continue spreading the word about MLP by reaching out to leaders in the community.

Inviting legislators and staff to your hospital or clinic can be a rewarding experience and a great way to give policymakers the opportunity to get to know your MLP. A site visit can create a lasting impression of the positive impact your work has on the health and well being of individuals and families in your community.

Click here for our guide to planning a site visit.

To find out when federal lawmakers will be in your home district, please visit www.house.gov and/or www.senate.gov.