New Orleans Health Department anticipating ‘significant’ cuts

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

New Orleans Health Department facing $10.8M total budget shortfall in 2026.

$3.52M cut to core operating funds could affect programs and payroll.

Crisis response times for mental health and domestic violence may increase.

Programs like nurse home visits, violence interruption, and food support will be reduced.

The New Orleans Health Department is anticipating significant cuts to core health and human services , risking slower emergency responses and fewer supports for families, the department’s said on Tuesday.

Jennifer Avegno, the department director, said Tuesday a $3 million cut is difficult to make.

“We spent the last several months awake in the middle of the night wondering how we were going to make this work,” she said. “We are going to try within limits