4 Years Later: Debunking the myth that there is no affordable health care in metro New Orleans post-Katrina

August 31st, 2009

Network of 87 community-based health centers provide affordable care 

Many are recognized for National Quality Care Standards 

Website and phone number launched to help find affordable, high quality care in the New Orleans Area  

New Orleans, LA – As New Orleans area residents mark the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, local, state and federal leaders applaud the work of a network of community-based health care centers participating in the federal Primary Care Access and Stabilization Grant (PCASG), a $100 million federal grant award, which is administered through the Louisiana Public Health Institute on behalf of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. It has never been easier to find affordable, high quality care in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes. While controversy surrounding health care continues to escalate both locally and nationally, finding a local primary health care center is just a phone call or website visit away.

Two years after the initial federal award, there are now 87 health care center locations serving the four parish area offering high quality primary and behavioral health care services for adults and children. These services help to prevent and/or manage chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, high-blood pressure, obesity, and depression. Referrals for necessary specialty and diagnostic services are also coordinated by the primary care providers.

Most centers have appointments available within two weeks, some offer expanded evening and weekend hours. Many accept private and public insurance and/or offer services according to an income-based sliding fee scale.  

36 of the 87 participating community-based health centers have achieved recognition for quality as Patient Centered Medical Homes by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).  Having a Patient Centered Medical Home signifies more than just a visit to the doctor’s office; it is a comprehensive approach that emphasizes personalized and coordinated care by a health care team, and incorporates evidence-based practices and new technologies to ensure the highest quality of care available.

“This network has grown tremendously over the past couple of years and many people are simply not aware of the many locations that have been opened or expanded recently by the health care organizations that people have come to know and trusts,” says Clayton Williams, Director of Health Systems Development at the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI). “This will hopefully put to rest the myth that New Orleans is without options for affordable, high quality primary health care close to home.”

To help get the word out to area residents about the network of quality, affordable community-based health care centers, LPHI recently launched an outreach initiative to help link area residents with these health care services. This outreach initiative is made possible through funding support from the PCASG and Baptist Community Ministries (BCM).

To find a health care center in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes residents can call 504-872-0750 or visit www.gnocommunity.org to search for clinic locations by zip code, parish, and health care service types. Payment options, health care center hours of operation, direct phone numbers and addresses of participating centers are also provided through both the phone line and website. People who call the phone line or visit the website will be given options based on their preferences and will then be able to make appointments themselves by contacting health centers directly. Phone line hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Callers may leave a message outside of these hours and someone will return their call during operating hours.