While residents of Grand Junction and Fruita have easy access to primary medical care and even specialty care, the east end of the Grand Valley is a considered a health care “desert.” Clifton, Fruitvale, and Palisade have nearly 21,000 residents on Medicaid (public health insurance), 238 households that quality for SNAP food assistance, and no primary health care. Many residents in this area have significant transportation challenges.

Today’s healthcare consumers want and need choices in appointment days/times, after-hours services and clinic sites that are close to home. Moreover, “access to care” refers to Marillac’s ongoing commitment to assure all persons find it easy to become a patient of Marillac and receive the care they need and deserve. 

As a Community Health Center, Marillac extends substantial discounts to uninsured/underinsured individuals and families for the medical, dental and behavioral health care services they receive. 

No, anyone can become of patient of MarillacHealth. Marillac accepts private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. Marillac offers a sliding fee discount program for persons within 200% of Income Guidelines issued by the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services. The income limit for discounts is about $27,180 for a single person, $36,620 for a couple, and $55,000 for a family of four.

Since 1998, Marillac’s main clinic (next to St. Mary’s) has been the hub of our operations. For the foreseeable future, we will continue to offer medical, dental and behavioral health care at this location. We will always have a presence in Grand Junction.

It is Marillac’s responsibility to raise the money needed for the new care site. The new clinic is budgeted for a total cost of $13 million with $5 million from grants and contributions. As a 501(c)3 non-profit, Marillac relies on community support. Grant funding supports approximately 30% of operational revenue. This capital project will rely on community and other new grant funding. Every gift, large and small, helps us get closer to fully funding this community health center.

According to Capital Link (2020), MarillacHealth’s health care operations provide 81 jobs directly, an additional 70 jobs in the community, and contribute at least $20.4 million in economic activity each year. New clinic sites always mean more jobs for Marillac and Mesa County, and we expect to add approximately 40 new employees in Clifton.

Marillac is focused on Strategic Service Expansion – including access to affordable health care by establishing partnerships and care sites in locations where health care needs are not being met.