When Health Care Meets Justice
In a powerful Washington Post opinion piece, Dr. Rob Kahn, Vice President of Health Equity Strategy at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, makes a compelling case for embedding legal aid services directly into health care settings.
Dr. Kahn argues that many of the challenges patients face, such as unsafe housing, food insecurity, and denial of benefits, are legal in nature, and that resolving these issues can dramatically improve health outcomes. His article highlights the growing success of medical-legal partnerships, which place lawyers alongside clinicians to help patients navigate the systems that shape their lives.
This approach is especially critical for families facing systemic barriers. Legal aid can:
Prevent eviction and homelessness
Secure access to food and income support
Protect children from unsafe environments
Help families obtain Medicaid, disability benefits, and more
At Cincinnati Children’s, this philosophy is already in action. Through the Fisher Center, All Children Thrive, and our community partnerships, we recognize that flourishing health requires flourishing systems—including legal ones.
Dr. Kahn’s leadership continues to push the boundaries of what health care can be: not just a place for treatment, but a platform for justice, equity, and lasting change.