>> reporter: marcel rivera had to drop his health insurance about seven years ago. at $500 a month, he says it got too expensive when he had other bills to pay. what sort of choices would you have to make if you had health insurance? what would you be giving up? >> my daughter, kayla's, tuition. in college. >> reporter: you couldn't pay your daughter's tuition if you paid for your health care? >> i could not. it's either one or the other. >> reporter: rivera is one of an estimated 80,000 people living uninsured in new orleans. he's among the working uninsured, stuck making too much money to qualify for government assistance, but not enough to afford health insurance. but while the health care debate rages in washington, rivera and others like him are finding another option. down here on canal street, there's a clinic that's quietly giving these uninsured workers something they haven't seen in years, affordable health care. >> it's upstairs, this way. >> reporter: it's a short climb