Over the years, I've heard testimony by survivors about the devastation that followed denial of their rights. While dealing with their illness, they lost their job, insurance and/or homes. What can they do?
Many caring and generous lawyers across America are offering their expertise, energy and time to help protect patients' rights. One place you can turn is the The Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC.
Founded in 1997, CLRC is a joint program of the Disability Rights Legal Center and Loyola Law School. They provide free and confidential information and resources on cancer-related legal issues to cancer survivors, their families, friends, employers, health care professionals, and others coping with cancer.
The CLRC has a national, toll-free Telephone Assistance Line (866-THE-CLRC) where callers can receive free and confidential information about relevant laws and resources for their particular situation, such as problems with insurance coverage, employment discrimination, access to health care or estate planning.
Members of the CLRC's Professional Panel of volunteer attorneys, insurance agents, and accountants can provide more in-depth information and counsel to CLRC callers.
CLRC staff also speak at conferences across the nation and webinars, including training sessions for health care professionals.
The demand for legal aid exceeds CLRC's supply of professionals. They don't give up; rather, they do all they can with the resources they have. The hope is that as awareness of patients' rights increases, the need for their services will go down.
I hope you'll never need them, but it's good to know they are there.
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