The Colorado Rural Health Center marked the annual Safety Net Clinic Week with a luncheon recognizing Basin Clinic in Naturita, Colorado, emphasizing the vital healthcare services these facilities provide to rural communities. CRHC CEO Michelle Mills stated that safety net clinics serve as essential access points for uninsured, underinsured, and publicly insured patients, particularly in today's healthcare environment.
Safety net clinics operate without supplemental federal funding yet deliver crucial healthcare services to rural and underserved populations. These clinics face significant challenges including limited operational funding, workforce shortages, increasing reporting requirements, and evolving payment models. Despite these obstacles, they maintain their commitment to serving communities in need.
CRHC selected Basin Clinic for special recognition due to its dedicated service in Montrose County and recent designation as a CRHC Top 10 Rural Healthcare Facility for Overall Performance. The celebration included clinic staff, community members, local leaders, and healthcare partners who gathered to acknowledge the clinic's contributions.
Basin Clinic Executive Director Christina Pierce expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting that her team works diligently with limited resources to fulfill their mission of providing exceptional, compassionate healthcare. The clinic's importance was further underscored by Basin Clinic Board President Chris Daniels, who shared a personal account of how the facility saved his life, emphasizing that many residents cannot travel the 25 miles to alternative medical facilities.
Governor Jared Polis officially proclaimed August 17-23, 2025, as Safety Net Clinic Week in Colorado, recognizing rural primary care safety net clinics for their exceptional contributions to resident health and well-being. The proclamation expressed gratitude for clinics dedicating their time, energy, and resources to community service.
The recognition of safety net clinics highlights the ongoing healthcare access challenges in rural areas and the critical need to maintain these essential services. These facilities represent a fundamental component of Colorado's healthcare infrastructure, ensuring that geographic and economic barriers do not prevent residents from receiving necessary medical care.
