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The big picture: A retired lawyer from Massachusetts, Kathy Flaherty volunteered with Health Law Advocates (HLA), a local nonprofit that offers pro bono representation to people struggling to access medical services.
- That’s how Kathy was paired with “Alex,” an individual with a severe disability whose request for a personal care attendant (PCA) was denied by MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program.
- With Kathy’s help, Alex testified at an appeal hearing about his need for a PCA and MassHealth reversed its decision on the spot, ruling that Alex could get the in-home care he needs.
Grace under pressure. Despite the complex and sensitive nature of Alex’s case, Kathy had just 16 days between being assigned the case and the hearing date, so she had to spring to action right away.
- Though each case is different, a lawyer needs to help the client communicate their day-to-day medical and support needs, which requires reviewing medical care documents and care history, getting firsthand testimony from the client, and requesting medical records from providers.
- “There are times when you work for a big organization and you wonder if you’re having a direct effect,” Kathy says. “It was clear that we had a very deserving client and winning his appeal will make a significant impact on his life.”
“I wanted to do something.” After retiring, Kathy said that she felt compelled to use her skills as a lawyer to address the challenges facing the nation.
- “I’ve always had the spirit of volunteerism,” Kathy says. “It’s extremely gratifying to work on a cause you think is important.”
- Kathy found her project through We The Action and chose it because she saw that training and support was provided by HLA to volunteer lawyers.
- Kathy says this support from HLA made the difference as she gathered the necessary information and worked with Alex to prepare for the appeal hearing.
“Someone who really wants to help people.” Though HLA has many lawyers in their network interested in representing their clients, HLA says Kathy’s empathy and client-focused approach sets her work apart.
- “It requires a certain humility to try and pick up all these pieces of a case like this,” says Kara Hurvitz, a Staff Attorney for Health Law Advocates. “You’re talking to a client about some pretty personal things to make sure they can get what they need on a day-to-day basis.”
Empowering lawyers to succeed: While some lawyers may hesitate to volunteer in a subject area they’re not familiar with, Kathy emphasizes that many projects offer training and other resources for lawyers.
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