In criminal cases, legal assistance is a right. However, there is no right to counsel in civil matters, and most low-income Americans are forced to go it alone without legal representation. It’s estimated that 71% of low-income households experienced at least one civil legal problem in the last year, including problems with health care, housing conditions, disability access, veterans’ benefits, and domestic violence. Left unaddressed, these issues represent a significant hurdle to overcome for those in recovery.
In October of 2017, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center in Cleveland sought to address the legal barriers that negatively impact an individual’s health. They launched a medical/ legal partnership after receiving support from various local organizations, such as the Jones Day Foundation and Mount Sinai Healthcare Foundation to name a few.
For today’s podcast, Greg met with Legal Aid attorneys Michael Russell and Jennifer Kinsley, as well as Dr. Albana Dreshaj Medical Director of St. Vincent Charity Psychiatric Emergency Department. Hear how this program can help those less fortunate overcome obstacles and get the assistance they need.
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