The Montezuma County Hospital District was formed in 1975 enabling it to collect tax dollars for facilities and construction and to provide quality health care for our community.

The Montezuma County Hospital District is a political subdivision of the State of Colorado governed by statutes and operating under Constitutional constraints. In 1995 the Hospital Administration and the Montezuma County Hospital District Board of Directors investigated the formation of a non-governmental hospital entity that could operate the hospital in a much less restricted environment and could be both competitive and diverse. The Board of Directors recognized limitations they operated under with regards to then-current hospital industry changes and our actual service area that encompassed much more than just Montezuma County.

MCHD Board decided to establish a not-for-profit corporation completely separate from the Hospital District. They would lease the hospital facility known as Southwest Health System, Inc and are involved in construction and facilities management for the organization.

Learn more about the Montezuma County Hospital District here.

Southwest Health System, Inc. was established in 1996 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. The Board of Directors is appointed in December of each year at the annual meeting. The issues that remain the same and continue to add value to the Hospital through the formation of Southwest Health System, Inc. are, in part, as follows:
-As a non-governmental entity, SHS can operate in other states such as Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona which are in our service area but outside the Hospital District boundaries.
-SHS has the ability to enter into agreements to provide service to private businesses and individuals.
-SHS can act quickly to secure goods and services outside the requirement to obtain competitive bids.
-As a private corporation, it does not operate under the Sunshine Law.
-As a private corporation, it need not be concerned with its activities regarding the Dillon Rule.
-SHS allows a more flexible operating model for health care providers.
-Recruitment of physicians can be accomplished in a private setting since board members can meet with potential candidates without the need to call a special meeting of the board.
-Strategies to increase market share can be discussed privately in order to gain a competitive edge.

To learn more about Southwest Health System Board of Directors, visit here.