Health Law Advocates Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
HEALTH LAW ADVOCATES (HLA) PROVIDES FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO ELIGIBLE MA CONSUMERS FACING BARRIERS TO HEALTH CARE. HLA FIGHTS FOR HEALTH CARE JUSTICE BY REPRESENTING CONSUMERS AND THROUGH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
- Income
- $5.1 million
- Spending
- $5.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 5.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 65%
- Employees
- 57
- Volunteers
- 185
- Highest pay
- $263,095, director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 37% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $4.7 million spent. HEALTH LAW ADVOCATES (HLA) FIGHTS TO ACHIEVE HEALTH CARE JUSTICE FOR SOCIETY'S MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS. HLA OFFERS FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO INCOME-ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES WHO LIVE OR WORK IN MA AND ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY OBTAINING HEALTH CARE. HLA ALSO PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN MATTERS THAT AFFECT ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR GROUPS OF CONSUMERS AND COMMUNITIES IN MA.HLA ADOPTS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS SYSTEMIC HEALTH CARE ACCESS BARRIERS THAT HARM SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION. HLA'S CURRENT FOCUS AREAS INCLUDE REDUCING BARRIERS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN, IMPROVING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR IMMIGRANTS, CHALLENGING OBSTACLES TO GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE, COMBATTING DISCRIMINATION IN HEALTH INSURANCE AGAINST THOSE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, PROTECTING CONSUMERS FROM UNLAWFUL MEDICAL DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES, HELPING INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE IN-HOME HEALTH SERVICES, AND PRESERVING CONSUMER PROTECTIONS IN THE STATE'S MEDICAID PROGRAM AND THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. HLA IS THE ONLY NONPROFIT LAW FIRM IN THE STATE DEDICATED EXCLUSIVELY TO HEALTH CARE ACCESS.HLA ALSO CONDUCTS DOZENS OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS ANNUALLY TO LEARN ABOUT EMERGING HEALTH CARE ACCESS ISSUES AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT CONSUMERS' HEALTH CARE RIGHTS. WITH ITS PARENT ORGANIZATION, HEALTH CARE FOR ALL, HLA COMBINES LEGAL EXPERTISE WITH GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING AND POLICY REFORM TO ADVANCE THE STATEWIDE MOVEMENT FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACCESS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2000.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.