As Medicaid changes loom, Hill Health Clinic in Zeeland marks 20 years of lifeline healthcare
As shifting Medicaid policies and rising healthcare costs threaten to leave a growing number of West Michigan residents without coverage, a crucial safety-net provider in Ottawa and Allegan counties is stepping up its community footprint.
ZEELAND — As shifting Medicaid policies and rising healthcare costs threaten to leave a growing number of West Michigan residents without coverage, a crucial safety-net provider in Ottawa and Allegan counties is stepping up its community footprint.
City on a Hill Health Clinic, a Zeeland-based nonprofit providing free medical and mental health care to uninsured residents, will mark two decades of service with "Fuel for Healing," a major community event and resource fair on Saturday, Oct. 3.
The milestone arrives during a volatile moment for regional healthcare access. For long-term uninsured residents, navigating basic care without coverage is a familiar struggle. But upcoming policy shifts are expected to push a new wave of local families into unfamiliar territory.
"For some of our neighbors, being uninsured is something they have navigated for years. For others, the changes ahead may make this an entirely new experience," said Shari Garcia, a certified community health worker at the clinic. "We want people to know they don't have to figure it out alone."
A growing safety net
Operating entirely on volunteer medical staff and donor support, City on a Hill delivers care at no cost to the patient — estimating that roughly $51 in donations covers a single complete appointment.
| 2025 Impact Metrics | Stats |
| Total Patient Visits | 4,100+ |
| Mental Health Visits | 2,045 |
| New Patients Welcomed | 210 |
| Volunteer Hours Contributed | 3,180 |
| Outside Medical Services Secured | $75,000+ |
Beyond medical care, the clinic’s bilingual, bicultural staff work as state-certified Navigators with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. They assist families in breaking down language barriers, assessing state health options, and linking patients to broader social safety nets — including housing, food security, and transportation agencies across West Michigan.
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Event details
The "Fuel for Healing" anniversary event coincides with the final day of Zeeland Pumpkinfest, drawing local visitors to the clinic's campus.
- Date and time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3
- Location: City on a Hill, 100 Pine St., Zeeland
- Featured activities: Benefit motorcycle ride (led by Crossroad Riders CMA), car show, local vendor market, food trucks, children's activities, silent auction, live entertainment, and clinic tours.
- Community resource fair: A gathering of local support organizations — including regional housing, food, and ministry services — designed to connect families directly with social resources.
Event details, sponsorship opportunities, and volunteer options are available online at coahm.org/fuel-for-healing.
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