St. Clare relocation part of La Crosse free health clinic's $3.2M expansion plan

St. Clare Health Mission officials announced Tuesday that the clinic will move to a new building in downtown La Crosse.

The move is part of a $3.2 million health care expansion officials say will make it easier for staff to provide care.

Officials with the free clinic said the current facility at 916 Ferry St., which has housed the clinic since its founding in 1993, can't keep up with the rapidly increasing number of patients and staff.

The clinic is expected to open in July. The current building will remain open for another one or two years as staff transition to the new facility.

'Writing's on the wall'

St. Clare has seen a 190% increase in patient visits in the past five years — and more growth is expected as health insurance premiums rise nationally.

The clinic focuses its care on people who fall into a health care coverage gap, those who earn too much to qualify for government assistance programs but still can't afford private insurance or out-of-pocket medical expenses.

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As insurance costs rose in 2026, St. Clare officials expect more people to rely on the organization for care.

The increases have even affected the staff themselves. Premiums for St. Clare staff went up 32%, leading some to forego insurance altogether.

"It was just too much for them," said Jaron Larsen, St. Clare's executive director.

The rise in patient volume has demanded a similar increase in staff and volunteers. Six years ago, the clinic had three staff — now, there are 20, with 10 working full-time.

St Clare Health Mission 916 Ferry St, La Crosse, WI 54601

Fitting everybody in the facility, Larsen said, is like "playing Tetris with people."

"If you've been here the past five or 10 years, you know the … writing's on the wall," he said of the clinic.

Where is the money going?

Of the $3.2 million in the fundraising campaign, about $1.8 million will go toward the new clinic. Officials hope the new clinic, which will be located at 406 Jackson St., will offer staff more space and flexibility.

It will include nine exam rooms fitted to also function as office space, as well as a soundproof office for the St. Clare's therapist — a new and long-awaited improvement.

Much of its furniture will come from Mayo Clinic Health System's breast care center, which donated its furniture as it moved out of its former location.

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St. Clare Health Mission Executive Director Jason Larsen announces Tuesday that the free clinic will be moving to a new facility as part of a $3.2 million expansion plan. St. Clare has seen a 190% increase in patient visits in the last five years.

The remaining $1.2 million will be devoted to expected maintenance costs and expanded programming at St. Clare.

Recruiting more staff to keep up with patient demand, Larsen said, is high on St. Clare's list of priorities.

"Five years ago, I had one or two (doctors)," he said. Now I need at least three."

That doesn't include particularly high-volume nights, when the clinic can get as many as 40 patients or more at a time.

So far, the clinic has raised over $2 million, with another $1 million in pledges. The clinic is now accepting donations from the public. Those looking for more information on how to donate can visit the St. Clare website at stclarehealthmission.org/donate.

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