Publication date: 25.09.2025
Francis Rentas-Casiano is an experienced healthcare attorney and a certified Health & Life Coach. He has over 10 years of experience in legal support, compliance, and training activities across the federal, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. He is an expert in health, human rights, and regulatory compliance matters.
Case: Legal Protection of Transgender Patients’ Rights in State Healthcare Programs
Client: Federal plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against the New York State Department of Health
Law Firm: Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Year: 2015
Role: Attorney in health law and human rights cases – Francis Rentas-Casiano
Case Description
In 2015, attorney Francis Rentas-Casiano participated in a federal class action lawsuit aimed at ensuring access to medical care for transgender individuals under state healthcare programs in New York.
The primary goal of the case was to protect the rights of patients who faced discrimination when accessing state-provided healthcare services. The case involved document preparation, document processing, and submission of requests for documents, as well as drafting legal requests and attorney's inquiries, which were crucial for representing the plaintiffs’ interests in federal court.
Francis performed the following tasks:
- Analyzed the regulatory framework of state healthcare programs;
- Prepared documents for submission to federal court;
- Processed and organized documents for formal legal requests;
- Drafted attorney's inquiries and legal requests to obtain evidence regarding the Department of Health’s practices;
- Provided legal assistance to clients in gathering evidence and asserting their rights to healthcare.
Document Preparation and Processing
During this case, Francis Rentas-Casiano ensured:
- Document preparation for filing the class action and supporting plaintiffs’ claims;
- Document processing in compliance with federal court standards;
- Creation of request documents to obtain additional information from government agencies;
- Drafting of lawyer's requests to secure necessary evidence;
- Maintaining organized documentation to provide comprehensive legal protection for transgender individuals.
Proper document preparation and processing was critical for securing clients’ rights and ensuring the court received all necessary materials for a well-founded decision.
Legal Assistance and Rights Protection
The case demonstrated a full range of legal assistance:
- Advising clients on their rights and options under state healthcare programs;
- Drafting and submitting legal requests to governmental bodies for medical documentation;
- Providing practical support in interactions with state agencies;
- Case management in court to ensure rights protection and prevent discrimination.
The attorney's inquiry prepared by Francis clearly outlined requirements for the Department of Health, expediting the review process and securing the needed documentation for litigation.
Questions & Answers
Question
What role does document preparation play in such cases?
Answer
Document preparation ensures structured and legally substantiated submissions, enables evidence collection, and allows drafting precise legal requests, which are critical for success in federal court proceedings.
Question
How does an attorney's inquiry differ from a regular request?
Answer
An attorney's inquiry is an official legal request directed at a government agency or party in a case, carrying legal weight and aimed at obtaining documents or information necessary for legal protection of the client’s rights.
Question
What are the main stages of case management in this matter?
Answer
Legal assessment and regulatory analysis;
Document preparation and processing for court and governmental bodies;
Drafting and submitting lawyer's requests and legal requests;
Court representation and client consultations;
Continuous rights protection throughout the litigation process.
Case Outcome
- Clients received effective legal protection confirming their right to medical care;
- The court received a complete package of request documents, expediting review;
- Prepared legal requests ensured transparency in the Department of Health’s operations;
- Francis Rentas-Casiano gained valuable experience in case management related to health law and human rights, as documented in the Legal Aid Society report (2015).
Guarantees legal protection at all stages of the process;
Professional document preparation and processing;
Individualized approach to each client and situation;
Effective case management and liaison with government agencies;
Ensures rights protection and compliance with health law and human rights standards.
This case highlights how professional legal assistance, proper document preparation, and precise legal requests provide effective rights protection for clients in complex socio-legal matters.
