ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 3, 2025) — The Florida Health Justice Project (FHJP) will host the first-ever Florida Poverty Health Law Conference, a two-day event Nov. 17–18 in Orlando. The conference is designed for legal aid attorneys, pro bono attorneys, and others assisting low-income Floridians with issues related to health care rights.
The event will feature keynote speaker Gordon Bonnyman, staff attorney and co-founder of the Tennessee Justice Center, along with more than 30 experts from across the state and nation, including representatives from the National Health Law Program, Justice in Aging, the Center for Medicare Advocacy and the Massachusetts Medicare Advocacy Project.
“The Florida Poverty Health Law Conference strengthens the people and programs that make health justice possible,” said Jerson Dulis, executive director of the Florida Health Justice Project (FHJP). “By empowering legal aid attorneys and community partners with the legal tools to help clients secure their health care rights, we’re helping more low-income Floridians access the care they deserve.”
Across multiple sessions, advocates will learn about Medicaid eligibility, long-term care appeals, veterans’ health care access, children’s Medicaid services and updates to the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplace. The agenda also features specialized panels on disability rights, elder law and strategies for collaboration between legal aid and health care systems.
“The statutes and regulations for publicly funded health care programs can be confusing for attorneys, and many clients don’t even know they may have legal rights,” said Miriam Harmatz, FHJP counsel and lead organizer of the conference. “Along with FHJP’s legal team and some of Florida’s most experienced legal aid attorneys, we selected agenda topics and speakers who could explain relevant law and strategies for helping low-income Floridians facing barriers to care.”
Marissa A. O’Connor, senior managing attorney for Public Benefits and Veterans Advocacy at Community Legal Services, emphasized how the conference bridges practical training and client needs.
“I’m excited to be part of this conference, both in the planning and as a speaker,” O’Connor said. “Health care coverage issues impact all the clients we serve, including seniors, people with disabilities, children, and veterans. But the law governing Medicaid and other coverage programs can be very complicated. The practical training offered during the conference is highly relevant to our casework. I’ve encouraged the Public Benefits and Veterans team, as well as all CLS staff, to attend.”
The conference will conclude with a “Rapid Fire” panel, where speakers will provide brief updates on relevant health law issues, followed by a closing luncheon celebrating Florida’s growing network of poverty and health law professionals.
This inaugural gathering marks a milestone for the state’s legal and health communities, advancing access to health care for low-income Floridians and promoting justice through training and collaboration.
Event Information
Conference Begins: November 17 at 11:45 a.m.
Concludes: November 18 at 12 p.m.
Optional Lunch: November 18 at 1 p.m.
Location: Embassy Suites Orlando – Lake Buena Vista South 4955 Kyngs Heath Road, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Website: www.floridahealthjustice.org/poverty-health-law-conference
For More Information:
Jerson Dulis, Executive Director Florida Health Justice Project dulis@floridahealthjustice.org (754) 231-0106
Media Contact:
Maria Elsbernd, Public Relations Manager Revell Media
maria@revellmedia.com
(850) 445-7219
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About the Florida Health Justice Project
The Florida Health Justice Project works to promote access to affordable, quality health care for Florida’s low-income and vulnerable populations through litigation, advocacy, education, and strategic partnerships. The organization focuses on ensuring that health care programs and policies are
implemented in a manner consistent with justice, fairness, and the rule of law. www.floridahealthjustice.org.
Press release written and received from Revell Media,