The Greater New Orleans Community Health Connection (GNOCHC) is an important program that provides preventive, primary care and mental health services to 57,000 residents at or below poverty in Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines parishes who would otherwise be uninsured. This critical program which has been operating since 2010 is in jeopardy of shutting down on June 30, 2015 after the Governor failed to include it in the 2016 budget.

Continuing this program is a smart business decision as it will save our health care system money. While the state needs $10 million to fund the program, without GNOCHC, the state will see approximately a $59 million increase in healthcare costs annually as patients seek non-emergency care in emergency rooms at local hospitals where they cannot be turned away.  Additionally, local businesses could be forced to lay off more than 300 employees that support the health care industry, including 121 people working in health care centers. The financial impact of this devastating cut to primary care and mental health coverage in the region is one that we simply cannot afford.

Everyone loses if GNOCHC is cut. Please take a moment and tell your legislator to support funding for the GNOCHC program.

These signatures will be collected and given to members during the legislative session. 

For more information, please visit www.504healthnet.org.