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New GC clinic operator takes over tomorrow
Clinic closes early today to facilitate operation transfer

The Grand Canyon Walk In Clinic closes at noon today and reopens tomorrow at 9 a.m. as a branch of the North Country Community Health Center.

Hours will be 8 a.m.-6 p.m., seven days a week, until late October. A winter operating schedule will be announced when available.

The phone number will remain the same ­ 638-2551.

North Country Community Health Center was the selected bidder from several interested in the performance-based contract. It is for one year, renewable for four more. Dr. Tom Myers will serve as head physician and the clinic will operate under the direction of Dr. Andrew Saal.

North Country agreed to contract requirements like providing appointments and same-day availability for some medications.

As a federally-funded community health center, North Country offers a sliding scale based on income and family size for uninsured patients ­ those who are not poor enough for Medicaid, said Saal. For instance, a family of four earning up to $38,700 would qualify for reduced fees, as would individuals making up to $19,140.

Those who are not insured and not eligible for the sliding scale can still get a 25 percent discount if they pay in full at the time of service.

In addition to government grants, patient payments and insurance payments, the center will also receive annual supplemental operational support of $615,000 from the Park Service. The clinic receives about 6,000 visits annually.

Since late spring of 2000, the clinic has been operated by Flagstaff Medical Center's parent company, Northern Arizona Healthcare.

According to Saal, North Country was interested in operating Grand Canyon Clinic when Banner Health's contract expired in 2000, and was even involved in drafting the 1999 needs assessment that led to the contract awarded to Northern Arizona Healthcare.

Residents have been dissatisfied with clinic services, particularly the lack of appointments, inability to get medication on site and turnover in medical staff. Saal said that more than 200 patients with Grand Canyon and Tusayan addresses are regular patients at his clinic in Flagstaff.

North Country started as a free clinic in 1991, and is now the medical home for over 20,000 patients across northern Arizona. The clinic operates in Seligman, Ash Fork, Flagstaff, Winslow, St. Johns and Springerville.

Their stated mission is to provide accessible, affordable comprehensive, quality primary healthcare in an atmosphere of respect, dignity and cultural sensitivity.


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