Charity Hospital, the largest public hospital in New Orleans, has remained closed since 2005 as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Katrina and has "become perhaps the most notable symbol here of the languid pace of government efforts to rebuild or replace billions of dollars worth of public works wrecked" by the hurricane, USA Today reports. As a result, New Orleans lacks a hospital with the ability to handle the most severe trauma cases or teach new physicians, Kevin Stephens, health director for the city, said. Stephens added that the continued closure of Charity will result in a further loss of physicians and increased strain on the New Orleans health care system.

Louisiana has requested $492 million in federal disaster relief to help finance the conversion of Charity into a $1.2 billion teaching hospital and medical complex…