Thirty-nine percent of low-income households face healthcare-related legal problems, yet only 2% of civil legal aid addresses these issues. I am a physician, who, after 20 years of witnessing healthcare inequity firsthand, founded Health Justice Initiative to bridge this critical gap. We are a unique medical-legal nonprofit that combines healthcare expertise with legal advocacy to fight systemic barriers to care in New York City's underserved communities.

When Nicole, a single mother caring for her elderly parent, faced a $19,000 medical bill for an unnecessary procedure, she began avoiding essential care for fear of losing her home. HJI's intervention eliminated her debt entirely, restoring her access to healthcare. This is the powerful impact we can have when we combine medical knowledge with legal advocacy.

While other legal aid organizations in New York City do crucial work in this area, HJI is the only one focusing exclusively on healthcare-related legal barriers for economically disadvantaged households, particularly for people of color. HJI is launching with initial funding from private donors, but with additional support, we can help hundreds more families like Nicole's.

Health Justice Initiative

Helping Disinvested New Yorkers to Overcome Legal Barriers to Equitable Healthcare Access