Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 297 - GRANTS OF JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF GEORGIA ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS › Chapter 297-1 - GRANT PROGRAMS › Rule 297-1-.03 - Legal Assistance to Families of Indigent Patients Program

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
I.
Name of Grant
			 Program
: Civil Legal Assistance to Families of Indigent Patients
			 Program (Short name: Medical-Legal Partnerships Program).
II.
Legal Authority
:
			 O.C.G.A. §
								15-5-24 and  Supreme Court of
			 Georgia Order of January 15, 1981 relating to the duties of the Judicial
			 Council/Administrative Office of the Courts.
III.
Definition
:
			 This is a statewide program designed to provide civil legal services to
			 indigent hospitalized patients, particularly medically fragile children, and
			 their caregivers.
IV.
Scope
: According to the National Center for
			 Medical-Legal Partnerships (2020), about 60% of a person's health is determined
			 by social factors, including household income, education, employment, and
			 family stability. Georgia ranks 38th in the nation in child and family
			 well-being, according to the 2021 Kids Count Data Book
.
According to the American Health Rankings' state findings for 2021, the overall
			 health outcomes for children in Georgia ranked 33rd in the nation, with
			 socioeconomic factors (38th in the nation), economic resources
			 (44th in the nation), and children in poverty
			 (33rd in the nation) being significant factors for
			 poor outcomes. Similarly, a 2018 report from Voices for Georgia's Children
			 regarding barriers to healthcare stated that Georgia had the 7th highest rate
			 for uninsured children and determined that the key barriers to healthcare that
			 children faced were poverty, health literacy, and system navigation.
Patients with access to medical-legal partnerships see
				improvements in health outcomes, reductions in healthcare expenditures, and
				increased access to government benefits. An analysis of clients served by
				Georgia's Health Law Partnership (HeLP) from 2006 to 2018 found that, through
				the program, 657 children with neurodevelopmental disabilities were able to
				have their legal concerns addressed and obtained and retained benefits
				exceeding 4.9 million; these services also resulted in improved access to
				education resources, as well as short- and long-term financial cost savings for
				both families and the healthcare system. Studies around the country have found
				similar results.
V.
Purpose
: The purpose of this program is to support
			 civil legal services for patients and families with low incomes who are being
			 treated at Georgia hospitals through Medical-Legal Partnerships. Medical-Legal
			 Partnerships (MLPs) combine the health care expertise of hospital professionals
			 with the legal expertise of attorneys to reduce health disparities and address
			 social determinants of health. Lawyers are embedded in hospitals to facilitate
			 seamless access to both healthcare and legal assistance; MLPs foster
			 collaboration between healthcare and legal professionals, improve health
			 outcomes for patients, and result in lower costs to hospitals as a result of
			 uncompensated care and Medicare readmission penalties.
VI.
Grant Specifics:
A. Eligible Services: This program focuses on
			 serving indigent patients and their caregivers by providing funds to non-profit
			 organizations for attorneys to support medical-legal partnerships (MLPs), which
			 combine the health care expertise of hospital professionals with the legal
			 expertise of attorneys to improve the health of patients in Georgia.
B. Excluded Services: Certain services are
			 specifically excluded from this program to include the following:
1. Class action suits;
2. Criminal defense;
3. Deportation proceedings;
4. Juvenile delinquency;
5. Indirect legal services such as attorney
			 training;
6. Matters to be
			 adjudicated in courts outside of Georgia; and
7. Other proceedings not related to client
			 safety, stability, or economic security.
C. Eligible Clients: Patients and caregivers
			 in need of civil legal service and whose income does not exceed 200% of federal
			 poverty guidelines.
D. Eligible
			 Grantees:
1. Eligible grantees must be
			 non-profit organizations registered and in good standing with the State of
			 Georgia with demonstrated experience providing civil legal services.
2. Recipients must also demonstrate they have
			 the personnel and expertise necessary to deliver the services required, that
			 their service delivery structure can adequately provide coverage throughout the
			 geographical area for which the services are proposed, and that they have
			 sufficient administrative recordkeeping capabilities to fulfill reporting
			 requirements necessary for the evaluation of their grant services.
3. Community partnerships are critical to
			 achieving success with this program. The applicants must show broad community
			 support and the support and cooperation of local hospitals and other
			 health-related service providers. Letters of support or other evidence
			 establishing these relationships should accompany applications.