Earlier this August, we celebrated Community Health Center Week which reminds us of the vital role Federally Qualified Health Centers play in keeping America healthy. Since their founding nearly sixty years ago, community health centers have provided high-quality, affordable care to anyone who needs it, regardless of income, insurance status, or background. Today, more than 30 million Americans depend on community health centers — and here in Garfield, Pitkin, and Eagle counties, more than 20,000 of our neighbors entrust their care to Mountain Family Health Centers.

At Mountain Family, we deliver integrated medical, dental, behavioral, and pharmacy services to ensure that care is comprehensive and accessible. But our ability to provide these services is directly tied to public investment. Right now, the policy environment is shifting, and cuts to Medicaid — which covers nearly half of our patients — threaten to destabilize this lifeline. At the same time, federal funding for community health centers is set to expire without congressional action this year. These financial uncertainties create real risks for families who depend on us for prenatal visits, mental health counseling, chronic disease management, and preventive care.

That is why Community Health Center Week is not only a celebration, but also a call to action. We urge policymakers at every level to protect and expand funding for community health centers. Investing in centers like Mountain Family saves money in the long run by reducing costly emergency visits, keeping people healthy, and strengthening the local workforce. Without sustainable funding, the health of our communities — and the stability of our healthcare system — are at risk.

But sustaining this mission also takes a community. In these uncertain times, we rely on the generosity of our neighbors and partners to help us bridge the gap.  Mountain Family Health Centers subsidizes care for uninsured patients who are living on low income, ensuring that no one in Garfield, Pitkin, or Eagle County is turned away. We are grateful to all of our generous donors who allow us to provide this care, donations to Mountain Family’s Health for All Fund directly support patient care, whether it helps a child receive their first dental exam, a new mom accesses prenatal care, or a patient struggling with depression get the counseling they need.

This Community Health Center Week let’s celebrate the health and resilience of our communities — and let’s recommit to ensuring that health centers have the funding and support they need to keep serving all who call our region home. Together, we can build a healthier, more equitable future for everyone.

Dustin Moyer is CEO of Mountain Family Health Centers and lives in Glenwood Springs with his family.