Louisiana state government has funded a number of local programs over the years, and the costs are finally coming home to roost. Unfortunately, one of the first areas to feel the effects of a $1.6 billion budget shortfall for the fiscal year beginning July 1 could be a health care program serving 57,000 uninsured patients.

The Greater New Orleans Community Health Connection (504HealthNet) coordinates 41 health care clinics in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes. Many of those who are treated in the clinics could have joined an expanded Medicaid program under Obamacare, but Louisiana officials declined to participate.

Kristy Nichols, state commissioner of administration for Gov. Bobby Jindal, said $7.7 million for the New Orleans area program is one of the proposed budget reductions necessary to help close that shortfall. The appropriation ensures the federal government commits another $12.6 million for the program, so over $20 million would be lost.

Nichols said she understands the clinics provide valuable services, but the state had hoped local governments would find a way to pick up the costs.

Charlotte Parent, director of the New Orleans Health Department, said she believes the state does have a responsibility for funding the program.

“The city believes and feels that, while it serves those parishes in our area, this is a state issue,” Parent said. “We are part of the state and our people are part of the state. And we should want to provide services that are going to provide good outcomes. And for a state that has poor outcomes, this is a project that helps up move forward.”

Susan Todd, executive director of 504HealthNet, said people would still get sick and the clinics have been able to care for people in their own communities. It is definitely preferable to having patients show up at hospital emergency rooms, some of the most expensive medical care available.

Todd said 18 health centers are involved at the 41 site locations. In 2013, the program experienced nearly 97,000 patient visits that generated jobs for 188 people in full-time medical related positions.

The Times-Picayune said the program is essentially a waiver of Medicaid eligibility for people age 19 to 64 who are at or below the federal poverty level and who don’t meet the current Medicaid eligibility requirements.

The newspaper said the cooperative program has received accolades in national public health circles because of its innovative approach in bringing quality health care to underserved areas.

“…Yet every year for the past several years, advocates of the program have found themselves begging for funding to be able to extend the (Medicaid) waiver,” the newspaper said.

Two other state-funded local programs don’t have that problem. The untouchable homestead exemption has made it necessary for the state to help fund local government operations. Hundreds of millions of dollars are also spent each year to supplement the pay of local first responders, and that appropriation has been given constitutional protection.

The health care of 57,000 people deserves equal consideration and protection.

(MGNonline)