CEO Update: Looking Forward

There are so many things to look forward to as August is winding down.  Let’s first start with Pumpkin Spice Latte or PSL as it’s known!  I love PSL. Why? Because it feels like a warm fall hug!  I know it’s still 90-ish degrees outside, but maybe it will bring on cooler weather.  Another more important event also takes place in August yearly and that’s Safety Net Clinic Week (SNCW).

CRHC started SNCW back in 2010 to recognize rural clinics and the communities they serve.  Over 100 safety net clinics across 52 rural counties in Colorado serve 200,000 patients annually.  Rural safety net clinics were established to serve and to ensure access to primary care services for children, families, and individuals.  Rural safety net clinics serve Coloradans who are uninsured, underinsured, traditional insurance or insured through public programs like Medicaid, CHP+ and Medicare.

Rural communities struggle with workforce challenges. In fact, of the current practicing licensed physicians only 8.4% work in rural and nearly 1,198 additional physicians are needed in rural communities to have equal access to urban, which is a needed 75% increase.  That number is higher for RNs/LPNs with current practicing at 10.9% in rural  and nearly 2,292 additional RNs/LPNs needed.  As you know, workforce is critical as healthcare is one of the top three industries in Colorado and in a rural community the hospital is often one of the top employers.

Financial struggles also exist as rural safety net clinics are not supported with State or Federal grants. Therefore, their only revenue source is patient care in which many payers don’t actually fully cover the cost of care.

Despite the challenges, rural safety net clinics are important pillars in their rural communities, serving all with birth to death resources from a trusted neighbor.

To learn more about rural safety net clinics reach out to our team at CRHC or view the many resources we have available on our website.