Source: United States Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet
Denver — Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined health care leaders from Clinica Family Health at their Pecos location to tour the clinic and to hear about how Clinica will use the $5.4 million in congressionally directed spending (CDS) he secured for service and facility improvements at the site.
Clinica is a nationally recognized patient-centered community health center that provides a full spectrum of primary care to low-income, uninsured, and other individuals who struggle to access health care. The location Bennet visited today in unincorporated Adams County is one of Clinica’s busiest clinics. Last year, the Pecos location provided medical, dental, and behavioral health care to more than 14,000 patients.
“It’s been a tough few years for Coloradans, and there’s no question Clinica Family Health’s Pecos clinic has been a lifeline for this community. I’m grateful to have secured funding to enable this clinic to invest in their physical infrastructure and improve the quality of service for their patients,” said Bennet. “For years, we’ve invested everywhere but America. We’re finally turning the page on that with investments like this $5.4 million award for Clinica and provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act to lower health care costs for Coloradans. I’ll keep fighting in Washington to ensure every Coloradan has access to the affordable, high-quality health care they need.”
During the tour of the facility’s medical and dental clinics, the group discussed the challenges Clinica has faced getting the funding they need prior to the CDS funding award, and the crucial integrated physical and mental health care Clinica has provided to Coloradans struggling to make ends meet.
“We are proud that Sen. Bennet recognizes that with the right resources, Clinica and other Community Health Centers can provide patients in our community with the health care they need and deserve,” said Simon Smith, president and CEO of Clinica. “The funding that Sen. Bennet helped Clinica obtain will let us provide care to more patients in a building that honors their dignity and allows our staff to optimize their services. Sen. Bennet has been a strong supporter of community health centers.”
Bennet was joined on the tour by staff and leaders from Clinica Family Health, including President and CEO Simon Smith, Chief of Integrated Services Janet Rasmussen, Board Member and Patient Heidy Ordonez, Vice President of Medical Services Dr. Zach Wachtl, and Clinic Operations Director Jennifer Black.