Colorado Rural Health Center Honors Basin Clinic During Safety Net Clinic Week

The Colorado Rural Health Center celebrated the annual Safety Net Clinic Week with a luncheon honoring Basin Clinic in Naturita, Colorado. CRHC provided lunch for clinic staff, community members, and local leaders, who read a proclamation signed by Governor Jared Polis highlighting the importance of Colorado's rural safety net clinics.

Safety net clinics serve as essential points of access for healthcare services in rural communities across the state. CRHC CEO Michelle Mills emphasized that "the importance of quality care that is accessible to those who are uninsured, underinsured, or insured through public programs cannot be understated." The organization hosts Safety Net Clinic Week each year to educate policymakers, healthcare advocates, and community leaders on the necessity of keeping the safety net intact and thriving.

Despite lacking supplemental federal funding, safety net clinics provide essential healthcare services to rural and underserved populations. These clinics face numerous challenges including limited funding for general operations, workforce shortages, growing reporting requirements, and changing payment models. CRHC chose to honor Basin Clinic for their dedicated service to rural Montrose County and their recent recognition as a CRHC Top 10 Rural Healthcare Facility for Overall Performance.

Basin Clinic Executive Director Christina Pierce expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating that their team works hard to provide exceptional, compassionate healthcare with limited resources. The clinic represents a necessary component of the rural healthcare safety net in Colorado. Basin Clinic Board President Chris Daniels shared a personal testimony about how the clinic's location and services saved his life, emphasizing that for many residents, traveling to another town for medical care is not feasible.

Governor Polis's proclamation declared August 17-23, 2025 as Safety Net Clinic Week in Colorado, acknowledging that "rural primary care safety net clinics, including designated Rural Health Clinics, make exceptional contributions to the health and well-being of Coloradans." The official proclamation expresses gratitude to these clinics for dedicating their time, energy, and resources to serving their communities.