The Carbon County Commission was visited by the staff of the Carbon Medical Service Association for an introduction and a discussion on the opioid settlement. Carolyn Abeyta of Carbon Medical began by stating that they have applied for the settlement and wanted to let everyone know more about what their association does for the community.
Abeyta has been with Carbon Medical for 21 years and, when she started, they had 11 employees. In 2019, they had 42 employees and now they have 70. Abeyta had previously given Commissioner Tony Martines information that had been gathered regarding their economic impact. When the study was conducted in 2019, the impact was $9.3 million in this area.
“I think we’re a significant employer for this area,” said Abeyta, who also explained that Carbon Medical has medical services with certified providers in Medication Addiction Treatment (MAT).
Carbon Medical employs five full-time therapists. When a patient sees a provider for Suboxone treatment, they are also required to see a therapist. There are pharmacies in Sunnyside, Helper and now in Price. Continuing, Abeyta explained that they offer vaccines as well as tests for Hepatitis C and HIV. All of it combined is full-care for patients, while also providing dental.
Carbon Medical Service receives grant funding that allows the association to serve patients on a sliding scale, if they qualify. They also see Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance patients. The grant money received, however, is only 34% of the association’s budget.
Following this explanation, Abeyta turned the time over to the many employees that had joined her at the podium to allow them to give their own introductions. Cameron Williams, MD, spoke first and stated that he works in the Sunnyside clinic. He spoke about treating addiction in the community and said that everyone on staff supports each other in this effort.
“I have the questionable honor of representing the county as your jail physician,” Williams explained. He works closely with Carbon County Sheriff Jeff Wood in that regard, and together they are trying to change the way that inmates and those being released are treated. The process is being advanced and is under review.
Next, the Behavioral Health Specialist took to the podium, saying that he has the opportunity to serve and help people with addiction. Just last week, they saw 163 patients.
“People with hopes, people with dreams, people with severe addictions and trauma, but people nonetheless,” the Specialist stated.
Generally, on average, Carbon Medical Service treats 120 to 150 patients for addiction and ranges all varieties of addiction. It was stated that the staff members of Carbon Medical Service Association have very open minds.
Amanda Paiz, who sits on the board, then commended county officials for their efforts as they came to the aide of the community, while doing what can be done to help those that are struggling with a substance use disorder. With all this said, Abeyta spoke again, expressing her appreciation to the commissioners for taking time to hear their stories.
She also informed the commission that they are looking at a building in Price that is a lot larger than the space that the Price clinic is in right now. They would use the settlement money for that building and to assist patients in need of transportation to their appointments.
Commission Chair Larry Jensen said that he appreciated them coming and that they provide a special service to the community. This appreciation was echoed by Commissioner Casey Hopes.