National Health Law Program (NHeLP)

Founded in 1969, the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) protects and advances the health rights of low-income and underserved individuals and families. NHeLP advocates, educates and litigates at the federal and state levels. Our lawyers and policy analysts stand up for the rights of the millions of people who struggle to access affordable, quality health care. We are guided by the belief—a challenge—that each generation should live better than the last. Health care reform offers the opportunity to substantially reduce the number of uninsured and improve access to care, including through the law’s expansion of the Medicaid program. Political and economic challenges, however, threaten these advances for millions of low-income and uninsured people. NHeLP defends the nation’s health care safety net for those most in need and those with the fewest resources. We fight to give at-risk populations a voice in federal policy making, promote the rights of consumers in emerging managed-care systems, and advocate for creative solutions that preserve the government’s responsibility as the provider of last resort. We are a force in the courtroom, working to ensure that low-income people and underserved communities can obtain the quality care to which they are legally entitled and holding state and federal Medicaid agencies accountable for their programs. We have been on the front lines for over forty years, providing critical input and expertise on health care and legal issues to federal and state policymakers, advocates and the media. We amplify our impact by collaborating with national and state-based advocacy organizations and pro bono partners to ensure our work betters access to quality health care now and for years to come.