The Louisiana Primary Care Association (LPCA) proudly serves as the voice of Louisiana's community health centers. LPCA was established in 1982 as a non-profit organization that promotes accessible, affordable, quality primary healthcare services for the uninsured and medically underserved populations in Louisiana. It is a membership organization of federally qualified health centers/community health centers (FQHCs/CHCs) and supporters committed to the goal of achieving healthcare access for all.
The LPCA represents 39 FQHC organizations, which operate over 300 individual sites and serve more than 465,000 patients every year. Louisiana’s community health centers are known for their inclusivity and openness to EVERYONE in the community. Patients are treated with the utmost respect. Community health center personnel are trained in cultural competency and make it their mission to provide every patient with the highest quality of service and care. LPCA’s community health centers are tightly woven into the fabric of rural and urban communities across the state. Louisiana continues to see rapid health center growth and capital expansion in all regions of the state.
Currently there at least one FQHC located in 55 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes. The LPCA and member community health centers seek to positively influence healthcare policy and serve as a strong safety net for Louisiana’s healthcare system by:
- Providing more peer-to-peer learning opportunities
- Building on what works
- Working together to creative the change we seek
- Pursuing value
- Maintaining relationships as a network while protecting our members’ individuality
- Reducing mismatch between our strategy and our culture
- Being more adaptive and responsive
- Always leading with the best interest of our members
Through advocacy, we remind our lawmakers that FQHCs are important to the health and well-being of our citizens. Not only do they make sense for Louisiana's physical well-being, but they also serve as important economic engines for our local communities.
The LPCA has an extensive list of policy priorities that were developed using data analysis, state health rankings, and a health equity framework. Addressing the opioid epidemic and substance use and abuse in Louisiana is a key policy priority.
Through RCORP funding, LPCA has developed a multi-disciplinary consortium with members from across the state, such as: the Louisiana Department of Health, law enforcement, EMS and first responders, Volunteers of America, elected officials, faith leaders, peer support trainers, and non-profit organizations. The consortium hosts monthly meetings to collaborate on events, trainings, workforce, policy, and access.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, LPCA collaborated with its Health Center Operations and Emergency Management team to distribute Narcan during its drive-through events distributing protective supplies like gowns, masks, and hand sanitizer. LPCA has also participated in Statewide Opioid Prevention Day events and press conferences, and it has partnered on drug take back and school events.