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Healthcare in Louisiana

Louisiana's healthcare system features a concentrated medical corridor in New Orleans, home to Ochsner Health System, LSU Health Sciences Center, and Tulane University School of Medicine. With approximately 12,800 active physicians and a rate of 276 per 100,000, the state has a moderate physician density that masks significant regional disparities. New Orleans and Baton Rouge account for the majority of specialists, while rural parishes, particularly in North Louisiana and the Mississippi Delta, face severe shortages. Louisiana has three medical schools and a legacy charity hospital system that was restructured into a partnership between LSU and private hospital operators. The state expanded Medicaid in 2016, extending coverage to approximately 500,000 residents and significantly improving access to primary care. Louisiana faces some of the nation's most challenging health outcomes, with high rates of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and infant mortality, driving strong demand across multiple specialties. The Ochsner Health System has grown into one of the largest integrated delivery systems in the Gulf South, with facilities extending across the state. Shreveport, Lake Charles, and Lafayette serve as regional healthcare centers. Hurricane preparedness and disaster response remain important elements of the state's healthcare planning.