Internship & Co-Op Opportunities:

INTERNSHIP & Co-Op DESCRIPTION:

Students will work anywhere from 12 hours per week during the school year to 35 hours a week in Summer or  on another schedule that permits more than 12 hours per week on the following types of Projects: 

1. Conduct client intake and assist in the representation of consumers in health care access claims against health care providers and insurers. Typical cases include: assisting families denied coverage for services by MassHealth, Commonwealth Care, private insurers, HMOs or the Free Care Pool; gaining health care coverage for people terminated from health plans; and representing consumers who have incurred unaffordable medical debt. In this rapidly changing health care environment, much of HLA’s legal work on behalf of consumers who are denied coverage is first impression work. This means there is the opportunity for creative advocacy and satisfying results.
   
   
2. Research legal/policy issues on subjects relevant to Health Care For All’s policy and organizing work. For example, what are the obligations of the Commonwealth in addressing the unmet oral health needs of poor children? What kind of financial hardship is sufficient to constitute a waiver under the new Massachusetts universal health access law? Should DSS be providing mental health benefits to juveniles in DSS custody?
   
   
3. Attend legislative or administrative hearings on issues pertaining to health care access and provide legal support as necessary.

Other tips about this internship:

• solid docket of legal work – you’ll never be bored –you’ll always be learning
• high degree of autonomy and responsibility offered
• good working environment - knowledgeable, committed people, mentoring attorneys, diverse working environment.
• work with clients

Course credit or fellowships: Because HLA does not have the resources to provide students with a stipend, students are encouraged to try to obtain course credit or to explore work study or public interest fellowship opportunities offered by their school. We would be happy to discuss these alternatives with interested students.

If you are interested in an internship at HLA, please submit a cover letter and resume detailing your interest and/or experience in health law or work with low-income families to info@hla-inc.org.  We prefer applications for Fall internships to be received by August 1, applications for Spring internships to be received by November 15, and applications for Summer internship to be received by January 15.