A Grand Junction executive advocated for independent hospitals in testifying at a congressional hearing on consolidation in the health care industry.

“I am a firm believer in the value of independent, community owned hospitals,” said Chris Thomas, president and chief executive officer of Community Hospital.

“Our ability to singularly focus on the well-being of our community and the needs of patients within our service areas sets us apart,”  Thomas said.  “We have proven that by competing when appropriate and partnering when the opportunity presents itself, we can lower the cost of health care, improve access and improve the quality of care our community receives.”

Thomas testified before the Senate Finance Committee on a hearing on the effects of consolidation and corporate ownership in health care.

Thomas said fair competition must be maintained to enable independent hospitals to continue to provide services and meet needs.

Community Hospital joined with the Town of Palisade and Mesa County to open a primary and acute care clinic in Palisade and offer health care services there for the first time in decades, Thomas said.

In addition, construction is underway at the Community Hospital campus in Grand Junction on an early childhood education center that will help address the child care shortage in the county, he said.

Both the Palisade clinic and childhood center benefited from congressionally directed spending, Thomas said. “This is such an amazing example of how federal solutions can help provide for the needs of communities.”

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennett, a Democrat from Colorado, praised those efforts and others. “Under Chris’ leadership, Community Hospital has stayed independent, fostered positive competition, lowered health care costs and improved quality of care for patients. I was thrilled to help secure funding for Community Hospital to directly address gaps in local services. But if we want independent hospitals to survive, Congress must do more to support them.”