White Plains, NY (April 12, 2011) – Legal Services of the Hudson Valley and White Plains Hospital have joined to create a new program to assist patients with legal issues. The Medical-Legal Partnership will station an LSHV attorney in the White Plains Hospital cafeteria to answer questions every Tuesday morning from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. The service is free of charge.The attorney will assist and advise patients and their families on a variety of legal issues, including: housing, government benefits, family law, creditor and health insurance matters, advanced directives, wills, and more. Basic legal forms and a notary will also be available.

LSHV attorney Karen Tenenbaum who heads the program explains, “When a loved one is hospitalized suddenly, they and their family often have daunting legal questions and details that they never had to consider before. How can a patient obtain medical insurance? What will the family do for income when an earner becomes disabled? The Medical-Legal Partnership connects families with attorneys who can help them plan through difficult times.”

LSVH Executive Director Barbara Finkelstein added, “The significance of this program is that it brings legal assistance to low-income children and adults with serious health problems where and when patients and their families need it the most.”

The Medical-Legal Partnership is funded by a seed grant from the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG). White Plains Hospital is located at 41 East Post Road, White Plains, NY.