CLRC provides seminars, workshops, webinars, professional programs, and attends outreach events locally in Southern California, and throughout the country. If you would like CLRC to conduct a training for your support group, hospital staff, or employees or to speak at an event or conference, please complete this form. Please note that all of our workshops are customizable and can be tailored based on the audience and location.
To download an information sheet in English and Spanish about CLRC services to post at your facility or share with patients, friends, family, or colleagues, click here.
Cancer Legal Resource Center Seminar Topics
Seminar topics can cover national and/or state-specific information and can be provided in English or Spanish.
Overview of Cancer Legal Resource Center: This is an introduction to CLRC history, mission and services offered to cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and healthcare professionals. Suggested time: 15-30 minutes
Cancer and the Law: This presentation discusses the most common cancer-related legal issues for cancer patients and survivors, including health insurance options, employment rights and reasonable workplace accommodations, taking time off work, and access to disability insurance and government benefits, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Suggested time: 45 minutes – 2 hours
Navigating Health Insurance: This is a seminar that covers basics, tips for taking control of your healthcare, health insurance rules and options, and health insurance appeals. Some of the laws discussed include COBRA, state COBRA plans, Health Insurance Premium Payment Program (HIPP), Medicaid, Medicare, Women’s Health & Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) and other relevant healthcare laws. Suggested time: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Employment & Taking Time Off Work: This comprehensive overview covers rights and protections of employees (including caregivers) in the workplace under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state fair employment laws, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and state leave laws. Suggested time: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Estate/Advance Planning: This seminar helps people prepare by planning ahead to ensure that their loved ones and assets are protected. It provides an overview of advanced health care directives, powers of attorney for financial affairs, conservatorships, and wills and trusts. Suggested time: 45 minutes – 1.5 hours
Disability Insurance and Financial Assistance: This presentation covers benefits available to people who are temporarily or permanently unable to work and what eligibility requirements they must meet under private disability insurance, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), state disability insurance options and state paid family leave programs. Suggested time: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Medicare: This presentation covers all aspects of Medicare coverage, including standard Medicare, Medicare/Medicaid, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans, eligibility for clinical trials and preventive services under Medicare, and Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Suggested time: 1 – 2 hours
Five Legal Tips for Cancer Patients: This workshop gives an overview of five common legal questions that cancer patients have, including employment issues, insurance, consumer debt, advance planning, and insurance appeals. Suggested time: 1 hour
Legal and Other Resources for Caregivers
There are over 40 million Americans that serve as family caregivers. This workshop covers the legal rights of caregivers to take time off work, for wage replacement, and to learn about other caregiver resources available.
Housing Rights and Concerns for People With Cancer
Having a safe place to live is essential, but becomes even more important when you are facing a serious illness. This workshop covers common housing issues for people living with cancer, including eviction/foreclosure, harassment, and housing accommodations/modifications by landlords/Homeowner Associations.
Medical Marijuana Overview and Legal Rights
Although still currently illegal under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, marijuana has become increasingly popular for medical use in many states across the country. This workshop covers the history of medical marijuana, an overview of state and federal laws covering marijuana use and possession, and addresses common questions and concerns voiced by people with cancer who try to obtain/use medical marijuana.
Clinical trials are a very important part of developing new cancer treatments and improving the quality of life for people living with cancer. This workshop covers clinical trials basics, insurance coverage for trials, and information about how to locate trials you may be eligible for.
Cancer and Financial Toxicity: Preventing and Managing Medical Debt
The costs of cancer can be staggering, even for those who have insurance. This workshop will give an overview of ways to maximize insurance coverage to prevent medical debt, tips for talking to insurance companies and healthcare providers, wage-replacement programs like disability insurance, and other assistance programs that may help ease the financial burdens associated with a cancer diagnosis.
Quality of Life: Palliative Care and End of Life Treatment Options
Too often, people coping with a cancer diagnosis are living with unmanaged pain, or are unaware of their rights to hospice or other care at the end of their lives. This workshop discusses palliative care options (including pain management), hospice, patients’ rights and end of life treatment options, including aid in dying.
I’m Unhappy with My Medical Care – What Are My Rights?
Do you think your doctor made a mistake, treated you poorly, or are you concerned about other aspects of your treatment? This workshop covers medical malpractice, filing complaints against doctors, grievances with health plans, and your rights to second opinions and medical privacy.
This workshop examines the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act and other laws that protect individuals with genetic predispositions to cancer from discrimination.
*Customized seminars are also available upon request, based on interest and audience.
For questions about alternative workshop topics, email clrc@drlcenter.org.