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Community Health and Wellness Center expands reach

Community Health and Wellness Center expands reach

Accepting New Patients” reads a banner in front of the Community Health and Wellness Center in North Canaan, now two years old. The facility continues to expand medical and health offerings.

John Coston

NORTH CANAAN — The federally supported healthcare safety net in the Northwest Corner that offers sliding-scale payments continues to expand its reach in the community.

The Community Health and Wellness Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), reported 36,235 visits in 2025, up from 33,750 in the previous year.

CHWC, which has medical office facilities in Torrington, Winsted and one in North Canaan that opened in the spring of 2024, reported that 65% of patients served last year were living at or below the poverty level.

In 2025, the organization served a total of 7,212 patients, compared to 6,746 the year before.

“We offer primary care, dental, behavioral health and much more,” said Joanne Borduas, chief executive officer. “We provide a local comprehensive medical infrastructure.”

The Northwest Corner continues to experience a shortage of primary-care doctors, compounded by the fact that some physicians no longer accept new patients, and others have long lead times for an appointment to see a doctor. FQHCs receive enhanced Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement and serve medically underserved areas.

In addition to primary care, CHWC has a long list of medical services that include women’s health, pediatrics, telemedicine, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, home visits and others, as well as providing transportation for those in need and even a food pantry. The agency operates in 24 towns in the Northwest Corner and in seven Torrington schools, three Region One schools and has a mobile health clinic.

Though CHWC accepts insured and uninsured patients, Medicaid recipients, comprising low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities, made up 48% of CHWC’s patient base last year.

The organization has struggled to get reimbursement from the state for its Medicaid expenses. It also has faced the threat of Medicaid cutbacks from Washington and disputes with Connecticut’s Department of Social Service to make the state’s 17 Federally Qualified Health Care Centers whole with respect to their Medicaid costs. Last July, after lengthy negotiations, an agreement was reached to increase reimbursements over three years that will bring reimbursements to 2023 levels.

In May, CHWC announced a fundraising campaign in anticipation of federal Medicaid cuts.

John Coston
health

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