A proposal for care for the medically indigent in the New Orleans area

The medical care of the indigent in the New Orleans area is an acute problem because of growing deficiencies of funding support, an aging plant, limited equipment, and difficult working conditions at the Charity Hospital (New Orleans). This is the second part of a presentation dealing with the problems and opportunities for the Charity System both in New Orleans and in Louisiana. I have expressed opinions about the choices for the responsible entity, the planning, the location, the organization, the finance of care, and the continuing relationship of medical care to medical education. I propose to continue the Charity Hospital in a new facility. If a new facility is impossible close Charity Hospital over a five- to seven-year period, care should be delivered in various community hospitals in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. Outpatient and emergency care should be decentralized. Louisiana State University is the preferred choice as the planning and operating authority. I believe the continuing interrelationship of the care of the medically indigent and medical education (faculty, residents, and students) is important.