National Health Law Program is a legal advocacy group operating in California, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia that advocates expanding Medicaid access for disabled and low-income individuals. It also lobbies state legislatures and the federal government to pass legislation towards expanding federal and state-funded healthcare services and coverage. It attributes differences in population health outcomes to barriers to quality care rooted in structural racism and denial of civil rights. Its primary clients are left-of-center community-based organizations, health care providers, and private attorneys. 1 2
History
National Health Law Program began in Los Angeles in 1969 as a resource and training site for public interest healthcare lawyers. It was originally called the National Legal Program on Health Problems of the Poor and was funded by the Office for Economic Opportunity. The organization’s Washington, D.C. office opened in 1975, and a third office was established in North Carolina in 1993. 3
Activities
National Health Law Program has advocated in favor of state and federal-level expansions of Medicaid programs and access for disabled and low-income individuals. Such efforts include supporting Medicaid coverage for populations previously excluded including prison inmates and illegal immigrants, pushing for coverage to include abortion and gender-transition treatments, increasing hourly wages for health care workers, and doctor reimbursement. 4
The National Health Law Program is a member of the Democracy 2025 coalition, a 280-member left-of-center effort to oppose policy and initiatives by the Second Trump Administration. 5 The Democracy 2025 coalition is a project of litigation advocacy group Democracy Forward (DF). 6
Funding
According to a 2023 audit, over ninety percent of National Health Law Program’s income is derived from grants and gifts. 2 Principal funders include the Bernard and Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust, Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund, and the California Wellness Foundation. 7
In addition to receiving grants, the Program awards donations to nonprofit public interest law organizations in all regions of the country except New England and the mid-Atlantic states, with grants ranging from $10,000 to $127,400. About 20 grants were awarded in 2023. 8
Leadership
Elizabeth G. Taylor is the executive director of the National Health Law Program, serving in the role since 2014. Prior to this, Taylor worked as Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General in the Department of Justice during both terms of the Obama administration. 9 She holds a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, a master’s degree in religion from Yale, and a bachelor’s degree from University of Carolina at Chapel Hill. 10
References
- National Health Law Program. “National Health Law Program – Attorneys.” Accessed December 16, 2024. https://healthlaw.org/
- National Health Law Program. “2023 Audit.” Accessed December 16, 2024. https://healthlaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/National-Health-Law-Program-2023-Audit-Final.pdf
- National Health Law Program. “The History of The National Health Law Program.” Accessed December 16, 2024. https://healthlaw.org/the-history-of-the-national-health-law-program/
- Morcelle, Madeline. “Health Care Justice 2025: Ten Key Opportunities for the Next Administration and Congress.” National Health Law Program, September 13, 2024. Accessed December 17, 2024. https://nhelprestordev.wpenginepowered.com/health-care-justice-2025-ten-key-opportunities-for-the-next-administration-and-congress/
- Chretien, Spencer. “Project 2025.” The Heritage Foundation. Accessed December 16, 2024. https://www.heritage.org/conservatism/commentary/project-2025
- “This Is Democracy 2025 | The United Legal Frontline in the Fight for Our Democracy.” Accessed December 17, 2024. https://www.democracy2025.org/about
- “National Health Law Program (NHeLP) | Los Angeles, CA | Cause IQ.” Accessed December 17, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/national-health-law-program,953080947/
- “2023 Form 990 for National Health Law Program (NHeLP) | Cause IQ.” Accessed December 17, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/view_990/953080947/65cad33df80dd382918bb278ba714196
- “PeopleGrove.” Accessed December 18, 2024. https://goanywhere.unc.edu/hub/unc/events/20050.
- LinkedIn. “Elizabeth G. Taylor.” Accessed December 18, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-g-taylor-250739a1/details/education/