Marillac Clinic Seeking Local Support

Marillac Clinic announced today that it is initiating a major local campaign to offset nearly $500,000 lost to state funding cuts.

For more than 20 years, since it's founding in 1988, Marillac Clinic has served the working poor and uninsured families of the Grand Valley. Last year alone, Marillac had more than 29,000 patient visits. The Clinic provides primary and preventive medical and dental care as well as optical, mental health, and medication services to residents of the Grand Valley who have nowhere else to turn for health care.
 
This year, due to statewide budget cuts, state funding to the Clinic has been cut by nearly $500,000. "That's a dramatic cut for a clinic of our size." said Executive Director Steve Hurd. "In spite of the fact that we have always maintained a diverse and responsible funding stream at the Clinic, state funding represents about 16% of our budget. We're doing everything possible to keep from cutting services to our patients, but this year, local support is more critical than ever for maintaining the medical home for thousands of Mesa County residents."
 
The Clinic, which operates two locations, one in Grand Junction and the other in Palisade, has played a key role in keeping the area's medical costs down by seeing thousands of patients who would otherwise go to area hospital emergency rooms. "That helps keeps everyone's costs down and helps make our community a better place for all of us to live and work." said Hurd. Indeed, both area hospitals recognize the role the Clinic plays in seeing the uninsured, and both traditionally offer major support for the work of the Clinic.
 
The Clinic has always enjoyed broad-based local support. Nearly all individual giving comes from the community that it serves. "It is so gratifying," said Development Manager Claudia Ragar. "people from all walks of life support the mission of the Clinic, and this year that local support is more important than perhaps at any time in our history. We hope that especially at this time of the year, people will focus on the needs of our own community and help out right here at home."
 
The Clinic has just sent out a major mail appeal and is also working with local churches and civic leaders to get the word out. "We're confident," said Hurd "that once people see the need, they will respond. We all need to stick together during tough times, it's what defines us as an organization and as a community. Marillac has always been there for our community and vice versa."
 
In recent years, Marillac has gained nationwide recognition for it's innovative and effective delivery of health care to families and uninsured individuals. Its Integrated Care model which treats the whole person and addresses a multitude of needs has been lauded as a best practice in the delivery of care and a model for cutting costs.
 
Nearly 80% of Marillac's patients come from hard-working local families who simply do not have access to insurance at their jobs. The need is even greater in times of high unemployment and fewer employers offering health insurance benefits. Here in the Valley, more than 24,000 people are without health insurance.
 
If you would like to support the Clinic's mission, you can contact Claudia Ragar at 970.298.6371

Or you can mail a donation to: Marillac Clinic, 2333 N. 6th St., Grand Junction, CO 81501

Or give On-line

PRESS CONTACT: Claudia Ragar, Marillac Development Manager • 298-6371