The New Orleans Health Corporation (NOHC) is a community based (501 c3); non profit corporation formed in the early 1970’s to provide to quality health care to indigent population of the City of New Orleans residents. Prior to “Hurricane Katrina” the NOHC operated three neighborhood health centers and a Home Health Agency. The health centers were the Desire/Florida Clinic, the Lower Nine Clinic and the Central City Clinic. All three of the clinics were located in the City of New Orleans Multi-Services buildings. In 2005 prior to the time of “Katrina” the NOHC was delivering an average of over 18,000 physician visits and services annually to the residents of New Orleans. The clinics accepted Medicare, Medicaid and private insurances. Those residents that were non insured we offered a sliding fee scale of services based on a patient’s income. With the destruction of two of the Multi-service buildings, the Desire/Florida and the Lower Nine Clinics ceased operations. There are plans to redevelop these two clinics in the future as funds become available.
In 2007 the NOHC, using its own limited resources and without having the benefit of receiving any grants or public assistance reopened the Central City Clinic and resumed operations on a much smaller scale. The Central City Clinic was reopened, accepting Medicare, Medicaid, and offering discounted fees to non insured patients. We currently offer pediatric care, adult care, x-ray and laboratory diagnostic services and well child screenings at the clinic.
The Central City Clinic presently has 4,500 patients on roll and participates in the State of Louisiana Bayou Health Plan. The increase in demand for services is due to an increase in population to the area and the discontinuation of medical services at the nearby City of New Orleans WIC clinic. Prior to “Katrina” the Central City are population served was a majority Medicaid eligible and certified. Post “Katrina” an influx on non insured persons began populating the area due to the availability of housing and services in the area.
It has been and always will be the mission of the NOHC to provide quality health care to indigent population of New Orleans, regardless of the financial status of the patients, however without additional funds to defray the cost of services the non insured population goes greatly underserved. It is a grave concern for this underserved population that will go without care that can and will eventually develop into acute conditions without the much needed preventive services.
