One nonprofit provides medical care for thousands of low income residents in the Roaring Fork Valley. Now the group wants to expand, and leaders are hoping for support from Pitkin County, Aspen Valley Hospital, and others. The Mountain Family Health Center in Basalt is in a building owned by Aspen Valley Hospital, which at night doubles as the mid valley’s urgent care center.
In the mostly empty side of the building, Mountain Family CEO Ross Brooks points at several vacant rooms. Brooks wants to double the size of the clinic, using these other areas. “We’re interested in this space, and expanding into it to provide additional medical and behavioral care health services,” he says. “And then there’s this space over here, which is pretty significant that ideally over time we’d open a dental clinic here too.” Right now Mountain Family’s closest dental clinic is miles away in Rifle, and other dentist who accept medicaid are few and far between.
As of now, the Basalt center serves 2000 people a year, offering medical and behavioral appointments. The nonprofit has other clinics in the area, staying busy because Mountain Family is one of very few places in the Valley that accepts Medicaid. “And while we’re doing a pretty good job of meeting about half the need today,” continues Ross, “we believe that we should grow in partnership with others so that everybody has access to an affordable health care home.”
Expanding the Basalt center could cost $2 - $4 million dollars. “It requires long term financial commitment from key community partners, from Aspen Valley hospital, from Pitkin County,” he explains. “I’d like to see Eagle County take a little bit more of a financial stake in this.” Ross and
others are talking with Pitkin County Tuesday about some of the details.