People's Health Clinic Gala Raises $600,000, Prepares For Coverage Changes

The People's Health Clinic brought together donors, clinicians, and community leaders on December 9 for a donor gala focused on the clinic's role as a safety net provider and the rising threat to coverage for local workers. The evening concluded with a paddle raise that reached a $600,000 goal. Clinic leaders said the funds will be used to expand capacity and create a part time pediatric position to address gaps in care for children of uninsured families.

Speakers at the event drew attention to the possible effects of changes to Affordable Care Act subsidies, saying thousands of workers who staff hotels, restaurants and resorts in Summit County could lose access to insurance. Such a loss would likely shift greater demand for basic and preventive care onto free clinics, intensifying pressure on limited community resources and increasing the risk that routine conditions go untreated.

The clinic emphasized that volunteer providers and partnerships have been essential to sustaining services. Collaboration with Intermountain Health and a long history of serving uninsured residents of Summit and Wasatch counties were cited as foundational to the organization’s ability to absorb higher patient loads. Clinic leaders framed the fundraising success as a proactive step to shore up services while broader policy debates continue at the state and federal level.

For local residents the implications are immediate. Hospitality workers who may face gaps in coverage are at risk of delaying care for chronic conditions and for their children, increasing potential reliance on emergency departments. The planned expansion and pediatric hire aim to reduce those risks by increasing appointment availability and continuity of care for uninsured families.

The gala underscored persistent equity issues in Summit County health care access. As seasonal economies and tourism create concentrations of lower wage essential workers, safety net providers face recurring surges in unmet need. The clinic’s fundraising win will buy more capacity, but leaders warned that stable policy solutions and sustained community investment will be necessary to prevent recurring shortfalls in care for the county’s most vulnerable residents.