Mesa County Democratic Party Healthcare Advocates meet with St. Mary’s CEO Bryan Johnson

Grand Junction, CO — Mesa County Democratic Party members Scott Beilfuss and David Austin met this week with Bryan Johnson, the new CEO of St. Mary’s Hospital, to discuss affordable healthcare in the Grand Valley and other challenges facing the hospital and our community.

Mr. Johnson, who previously served as COO of St. Mary’s before stepping into the CEO role this summer following Dr. Brian Davidson’s departure, has extensive healthcare administration experience in Utah and has been part of the Grand Junction medical community since 2016.

The meeting followed Mr. Johnson’s invitation to Chamber of Commerce members to clarify recent remarks at the local Healthcare Summit, where Kim Bimestefer, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy and Finance, questioned St. Mary’s costs compared to “similar” Front Range hospitals.

Key Takeaways from the Meeting

1. Addressing Healthcare Costs

• Johnson acknowledged that St. Mary’s faces pressure to lower costs and is implementing a Total Cost of Care (TCC) management plan.

• Through efficiency improvements, St. Mary’s saved $10 million last year and has kept costs flat over several years.

2. Role as Sole Rural Provider

• St. Mary’s is designated as the Sole Community Hospital in our area and is a Level 2 Trauma Center, meaning it must provide a wide range of services and maintain readiness for emergencies.

• This designation brings higher Medicare reimbursements, but also higher operating responsibilities.

3. Patient Acuity and Cost Comparisons

• St. Mary’s appears more expensive than some Denver hospitals because it treats patients with higher acuity needs.

• Unlike Front Range facilities that can “drip and ship” patients to specialty hospitals, St. Mary’s must handle complex cases locally, ensuring patients can recover near family.

4. Centers of Excellence Concerns

• The Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy and Finance is developing a Centers of Excellence program that could shift certain procedures to Front Range hospitals.

• This risks diminishing specialty care in Grand Junction and the broader Western Slope.

5. Insurance Pay Mix Challenges

• Only 19% of St. Mary’s patients are privately insured; the majority rely on Medicare and Medicaid, which reimburse at lower rates.

• Johnson suggested that a regulated single-payer system could create more efficiency than the current fragmented model.

6. Expanding Primary Care Access

• The Grand Valley is short about 20 primary care physicians.

• St. Mary’s will launch a new primary care practice next year, aiming to add six new doctors and provide support to existing practices.

7. Need for Collaboration in Western Slope Healthcare

• Johnson emphasized the need for greater collaboration among local hospitals to address 20% excess bed capacity and service duplication.

• Current FTC rules prevent hospitals from coordinating on pricing and services, but exemptions could reduce unnecessary costs.

8. Support for Community Clinics

• St. Mary’s continues to provide financial and support services to Marillac Clinic, ensuring access to care for underserved populations.

Mesa County Democrats: Advocating for Affordable Healthcare

Scott Beilfuss, a local healthcare advocate, and David Austin, a retired hospital CFO, agreed that Bryan Johnson and St. Mary’s leadership are taking important steps to sustain high-quality healthcare on the Western Slope.

The Mesa County Democrats remain committed to:

• Supporting affordable healthcare access for everyone.

• Hosting community discussions on Public Option plans, single-payer proposals, and legislation to address rising healthcare costs.

• Ensuring that Grand Valley families have access to care close to home.

📌 We invite community members to join us in future healthcare discussions. Together, we can build a healthier, more affordable future for the Grand Valley and the Western Slope.