FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 11, 2000

BREAUX ANNOUNCES $900,000 TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE FOR UNINSURED IN ORLEANS PARISH Sen. John Breaux (D-La.) today announced the Louisiana Public Health Institute will receive nearly $900,000 under a new federal program to improve access to health care for uninsured Americans. "The goal is to ensure more uninsured Louisianians receive higher quality health care from providers who participate in accountable health systems," said Sen Breaux. Sen. Breaux said the Louisiana Public Health Institute, in partnership with the New Orleans Partnership for Care of the Underserved, will use the $899,357 to develop an integrated system of care in Orleans Parish for residents in Carrolton and New Orleans East. Sen. Breaux said the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funds specifically will be used to enhance a seamless primary care delivery system network by integrating community primary care providers with the Louisiana State University Medical Center, developing a community health network among neighborhood health centers and social service agencies, and increasing dental services. Sen. Breaux, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, has worked for years to increase health care services to the underserved as well as to improve the Medicare program by making the real structural reforms and provide prescription drug coverage for today's seniors and tomorrow's 77 million baby boomers.