Sawtooth Mountain Clinic adapts to new technology and federal funding uncertainties

Despite the ongoing government shutdown, operations and services at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic have been largely unaffected.

“The clinic is still able to function, even though the federal government is shut down, and even though we have federal grants, we’re still able to draw down on those grants,” said CEO Kate Surbaugh.

Surbaugh said that while drawing on federal grants is still in process, communication with federal employees has been slower, given that many employees are furloughed.

House representatives are expected to vote Wednesday to end the government shutdown, following a Senate vote on Monday night.

With the government shutdown and other federal funding changes looming, the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic board has focused on establishing contingency plans and planning for future uncertainties.

With Medicaid cuts expected towards the end of 2026 and uncertainties regarding Affordable Care Act tax credits, Surbaugh said the clinic is working with the Cook County Public Health and Human Services staff to prepare patients throughout the transition.

“A lot of people are facing higher deductibles for their insurance,” Surbaugh said.

The Sawtooth Mountain Clinic board is focused on continuing its mission, which is to provide primary and preventative health care for everyone, regardless of ability to pay, she said. “Currently, we are in a good position to continue doing that, even if the worst comes to pass.”

The clinic offers a federally funded sliding fee scale program, which allows the clinic to reduce the costs of medical services for qualified patients. Surbaugh said the clinic will continue to offer the program, and as of mid-November, it remains in a good position to do so. However, the program is vulnerable given future federal funding uncertainties.

“That is a concern. We do have a plan for it, and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic is right now in a good financial position to be able to do that with the funding that we have,” Surbaugh said.

Another area of focus for the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic board and staff this fall has been the transition to Epic, a new electronic medical record software. The clinic launched the new electronic system on Oct. 14.

“It’s a really powerful tool for the staff to do their jobs,” Surbaugh said.

Surbaugh said, “It’s going to improve so many things. Right now, we’re starting to see some of those big pieces come to light, one of which is the ability for patients to have access to MyChart.”

MyChart is a software used by most large healthcare facilities for patient portal access. Hospitals in Duluth, such as Essentia Health use the software. Surbaugh said having the ability for staff and patients to use the software can “really help patients be empowered to coordinate their own care.”

The transition to the new software went smoothly, Surbaugh said. “Kudos to the whole team and thanks to our really supportive community.”

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Sawtooth Mountain Clinic CEO Kate Surbaugh about federal funding, Medicaid, the new electronic medical record software, and more. The audio is below.

Kalli Hawkins November 12, 2025