NORWOOD – As health care costs skyrocket and “disposable” income vanishes like lemonade on a hot July day, Uncompahgre Medical Center will continue to provide quality health care services to everyone who needs them – regardless of their ability to pay.

“We are concerned about the effect of the economic crisis and rising health care costs on our friends and neighbors, who are already struggling to provide for their families,” UMC Executive Director Steven Siegel said. “We want to let the community know that we have the programs and funding to continue in our historic role as your health care safety-net provider, keeping access to excellent care well within your reach.”

UMC was targeted to receive some of the first round of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Stimulus money from the Obama administration. “With its origins as a Federally-created safety net, the Community Health Center model has been recognized by successive administrations for its quality, cost-effective, patient-centered approach,” Siegel said. “We are pleased and honored that the government is investing in our model as a near-term solution to both the economic and health care crises that face our nation.”

UMC received a two-year grant of $124,000 to expand staff hours in its new dental program, targeted at those most negatively impacted by the economic downturn. In a second round of grant funding, they received a $317,000 construction grant to increase the medical center's capacity to provide care, “which includes doubling the size of our dental suite while creating local construction jobs,” said Siegel, adding that 100 percent of the construction project will be paid for with federal funding.

For the past 30 years, UMC has served as a vital component in Colorado’s network of Community Health Centers. In 1979, UMC – a frontier clinic since 1939 – became a CHC. It is one of 15 other medical centers in the state whose mission and responsibility is to provide quality health care on a sliding-fee basis regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. In addition to medical care, mental health services are available to UMC patients through an onsite contractor, Midwest Center for Mental Health. And since 2008, UMC Dental has provided subsidized oral health care – also under the same roof – thanks to a combination of state, county and private foundation funding on top of patient revenues.

And despite the complexities of modern health care, UMC patients find it easy to get the medical services they need with the help of patient navigators.

“Patient navigators direct patients throughout the medical process both at our clinic and with specialty care elsewhere, and ensure that people are enrolled in the care programs for which they are qualified,” Siegel said.

Other programs available through the Uncompahgre Medical Center include reduced-cost preventive health screenings for men, women and children; 340B Federal Drug Pricing, which provides lowest cost prescriptions based on national CHC pricing; free mammograms, colonoscopies and medications (for qualifiers); and a variety of outreach programs.

“We are dedicated to finding ways to encourage people to seek medical care, both routine and preventive, to improve the overall health of our community,” Siegel said, adding that UMC makes a significant contribution to the local economy as well.

“As a trusted and successful model in delivering health care, in 2008 alone, UMC brought in approximately $900,000 of Federal, State and private foundation funding to the region – which translates into jobs, support for local businesses, and less out-of-pocket medical expenses for families,” Siegel said.

On Aug.14, Uncompahgre Medical Center, located at 1350 Aspen St. in Norwood, will celebrate its 30th anniversary as a CHC as part of National Community Health Centers Week. Uncompahgre Medical Center accepts most types of private insurance and is designed to help patients who face financial obstacles. To learn more, call 970/327-4233 or visit www.umclinic.org.