The Colorado Rural Health Center celebrated Safety Net Clinic Week with a luncheon honoring Basin Clinic in Naturita, emphasizing the vital role safety net clinics play in rural healthcare access. CRHC CEO Michelle Mills stated that these clinics serve as essential points of access for uninsured, underinsured, and publicly insured patients in communities where healthcare options are limited.
Safety net clinics operate without supplemental federal funding yet provide critical services to rural and underserved populations. They face significant challenges including limited operational funding, workforce shortages, increasing reporting requirements, and evolving payment models. Despite these obstacles, they maintain their commitment to delivering quality care to those in need.
Basin Clinic was specifically recognized for its dedicated service to Montrose County and its recent designation as a CRHC Top 10 Rural Healthcare Facility for Overall Performance. Executive Director Christina Pierce acknowledged the challenges of providing healthcare with limited resources while maintaining the clinic's mission of delivering exceptional, compassionate care.
The importance of rural safety net clinics was underscored by Basin Clinic Board President Chris Daniels, who shared that the clinic's location saved his life by providing immediate care that wouldn't have been possible if he needed transportation to another town 25 miles away. Many residents rely on local clinics because travel to distant medical facilities is not feasible.
Governor Jared Polis officially recognized the week's significance by signing a proclamation declaring August 17-23, 2025 as Safety Net Clinic Week in Colorado. The proclamation, available at https://coruralhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/SNCW-Proclamation.pdf, acknowledges that rural primary care safety net clinics make exceptional contributions to the health and well-being of Coloradans. The document expresses gratitude to these clinics for dedicating their time, energy, and resources to serving their communities.
The celebration serves to educate policymakers, healthcare advocates, and community leaders about the necessity of maintaining and supporting the safety net clinic system. These facilities represent a critical component of healthcare infrastructure in rural areas, ensuring that geographic and economic barriers do not prevent residents from receiving necessary medical care.
