Health Calls Season 7, Episode 5 explores how medical‑legal partnerships (MLPs) are helping healthcare organizations across the United States address the social and structural factors that impact health. Host Brian Reardon welcomes Dr. Fred Rottnek of SSM Health and Danielle Pelfrey Duryea, JD, of Saint Louis University School of Law to discuss a collaboration that integrates legal professionals into care teams.
By addressing issues such as housing instability, Medicaid coverage disputes, guardianship, educational rights, and unsafe living conditions, medical‑legal partnerships help resolve problems that traditional healthcare alone cannot fix. The conversation highlights how these partnerships improve patient well‑being, reduce caregiver burnout, support workforce development, and create opportunities for policy change.