MarillacHealth has initiated a public campaign to raise $100,000 in support of its integrated healthcare center, which is under construction at 512 29½ Road.
“The populations that reside in Clifton and Fruitvale do not have immediate access to healthcare,” said Marillac Board Chairperson Dan Prinster.
The new 27,000-square-foot facility will provide medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services, with costs determined on a sliding scale based on patient income, household size, and insurance coverage.
With an anticipated opening in late summer, the “$100K in 100 Days” campaign aims to secure funds quickly. A successful campaign will bring MarillacHealth to approximately 70% of its expected expenses, nearing $15 million of the $21 million goal.
Measles Outbreak Leads to First U.S. Death in a Decade
A child in Texas died from measles last Wednesday, marking the first U.S. fatality from the virus in a decade. The outbreak, which has spread across Texas and New Mexico, has prompted the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to urge residents to ensure they are properly vaccinated ahead of the spring break travel season.
Beyond its characteristic rash, measles can cause severe complications, including permanent hearing loss, brain damage, respiratory failure, and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infected individuals are contagious up to four days before symptoms appear. The virus is highly transmissible, with nine out of 10 unvaccinated people exposed to an infected person likely to contract the disease.
In 2024, the CDC tracked 16 measles outbreaks resulting in 285 infections, with nearly 90% of cases occurring in unvaccinated individuals. Forty percent of those cases led to hospitalization.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective when both doses are received. However, child MMR vaccination rates in Colorado declined by nearly 10% between 2012 and 2021.
CDPHE recommends vaccination for all children without immunity, starting at one year of age, as well as unvaccinated adults or those who received an inactivated measles vaccine before 1968. The department also advises adults uncertain of their vaccination status to receive the MMR shot, as an additional dose poses no known risks.
Attorneys General Warn of Counterfeit Weight-Loss Drugs
Thirty-seven attorneys general, including Colorado AG Phil Weiser, have issued warnings about counterfeit and contaminated weight-loss and diabetes drugs, particularly GLP-1 injection drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro.
Due to high demand and supply shortages, international scammers and unregulated pharmacies have been targeting these medications, introducing counterfeit versions into the U.S. supply chain. Many counterfeits originate from countries such as China and India, with some containing repackaged insulin, which can paradoxically lead to weight gain. Others have been found contaminated or improperly concentrated, leading to serious health risks and hospitalizations.
The coalition of AGs is urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to increase enforcement against counterfeiters and collaborate with the Department of Homeland Security to intercept fake medications before they reach consumers.
Concerns have also been raised about online retailers selling the active ingredient in GLP-1 drugs from unregulated sources, often without requiring a prescription. Consumers who attempt to formulate their own injections face a heightened risk of semaglutide overdoses.
Additionally, while compound pharmacies are legally allowed to manufacture and sell weight-loss drugs, some have produced versions with high impurity levels or bacterial contamination. The AGs are calling for stricter FDA oversight of these facilities to ensure safe and sanitary production.
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