Published January, 2008

MedLaw Project: Legal Aid Program Improves Health Outcomes for Children, Families Through Medical-Legal Partnership with University, Anna Lisa Biason, 30 Cornerstone 12 (2008)

This article highlights the connection between access to legal services and improved health outcomes, and the benefits of collaborations between the medical and legal communities in order to meet the full range of individuals' health care needs. It provides examples of legal issues that can substantially impede individuals' access to health care, such as health care benefits access and housing issues. The article examines the MedLaw Project, a collaborative effort at the UCI Family Health Center Santa Ana (UCI FHC). The project brings together staff from the Legal Aid Society of Orange County, California and UCI FHC health care providers to improve health outcomes of UCI FHC patients by meeting their legal needs.