EDITORIAL: Free clinic closure unfortunate, but alternatives available

Posted 8/20/15

We are happy to hear that Heritage Health Center will provide a more affordable option to healthcare, but every penny counts when living on a very tight budget. We also are concerned that driving to Cody for the free clinic will be difficult, or …

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EDITORIAL: Free clinic closure unfortunate, but alternatives available

Posted

Thumbs down at the loss of Heart Mountain Volunteer Medical Clinic closing at the end of October. We realize that every effort was made to keep the doors open to free healthcare for those who need it most, and that alternatives will be available upon the doors closing.

We are happy to hear that Heritage Health Center will provide a more affordable option to healthcare, but every penny counts when living on a very tight budget. We also are concerned that driving to Cody for the free clinic will be difficult, or even impossible, for patients lacking transportation. It is unfortunate that Powell’s free clinic is closing, but we appreciate our local healthcare providers and their efforts to keep our neighbors healthy.

We also want to thank the leaders who founded the Heart Mountain Volunteer Medical Clinic in Powell for their years of service and hard work. Heart Mountain Volunteer Medical Clinic in Powell and Cody has served 5,300 patients since opening in July 2008. As Dr. Nick Morris said, the Powell clinic did what it was supposed to do. Over the years, local medical professionals and residents volunteered thousands of hours to ensure patients received quality health care through the free clinic, and we applaud them for their selfless dedication.

Thumbs up to being active and involved in local events. Fall is just around the corner, so Powell is savoring the last of summer’s warm weather with some big events. Last weekend was packed with activities and the community came out in droves to participate in everything from the Arts Festival, Wings ‘N Wheels, a pro rodeo and the Desperados Shootout to school sports practices or just having some fun enjoying the outdoors. Even though they are still on summer break, Panther practices began Monday and our local kids are working hard to prepare for the upcoming fall sports season — which speaks volumes about our local youth’s dedication. Meanwhile, a large portion of the community was supporting the local arts and celebrating some of the region’s most creative minds, showing that the community is involved in local events and has a healthy appreciation for the arts.

A separate thumbs up entirely goes to the Elevate Your Life program for inspiring and motivating youth to follow their dreams by taking them to the sky in stunt planes. On Friday, three local kids were taken on the ride of their lives, doing loops and barrel rolls over the Big Horn Basin for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If they thought the view from the mountains was great, then the view from several thousand feet higher while upside down in a cockpit must have been life-changing.

Thumbs up to Wyoming leaders planning for the future of the state’s energy development by holding a series of public forums, including one at the Park County Library on Aug. 12. With oil prices on the downside and coal’s future uncertain as well, it is good to see state leaders are collaborating with Wyoming residents to make a plan. We highly appreciate Gov. Matt Mead’s efforts to brainstorm with the public and listen to thoughts and concerns regarding the on-going 2013 comprehensive strategy plan. This type of two-way dialogue will create a solid plan for 2016 and the years following — essentially a to-do list for promoting Wyoming’s industrial resources while also protecting our natural resources. It is a delicate balance, but Wyoming is setting the standard for the rest of the nation in keeping our environment pristine and our economy’s gears turning. Although the meeting is over, public comments can still be sent to the Governor’s Office at energy.strategy@wyo.gov.

Thumbs down to the weather — again. Dropping from the mid-90s on Saturday to the 40s by Monday was a cooldown from the weekend’s fun that we could have done without. We are concerned that, if it’s getting this chilly in August, a freeze could hit before harvest is complete. That would be very bad news for our local farmers, and ultimately for all of us, since fewer crops means higher prices at the grocery store. We realize that fall is just around the corner, but would much rather ease into it than just dive right in. 

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