By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
First Care Clinic has purchased the building at 1301 Main and plans to renovate it to include a pharmacy and express care clinic.
First Care CEO Bryan Brady said the pharmacy will be for First Care patients. The express clinic will open to the entire community.
"Our vision is that the pharmacy will be closed off to only First Care Clinic patients," he said. "The express care ... our vision is that you would be able to go online to an app and request an appointment within the next 24 hours and come in for your acute issue."
The hours for the express care have yet to be set.
The project will cost about $1.3 million. Half will be paid for through a Department of Health and Human Services grant. The other half will be paid for through operating capital.
First Care Clinic is a 501(c)3 nonprofit federally qualified health center providing health care services for people of all ages, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. It provides services on a sliding-fee scale to those who qualify.
In line with that mission, the pharmacy is working to offer medication at reduced costs for the uninsured and underinsured, Brady said.
"One of the biggest things we hear from our patients is that their medication is unaffordable," Brady said. "If we can help them with that, and get them access to the medication they need, then that improves health outcomes."
Brady said he did not think the First Care express care will compete with the HaysMed Convenient Care Clinic. The First Care clinic will be downtown as opposed to HaysMed's clinic, which is on Vine Street.
The First Care express clinic will offer the same sliding-fee scale as the main clinic.
"Our goal is to look to fill those gaps in the community and not compete with anybody," Brady said.
The building encompasses about 3,000 square feet. The Hays Chamber will host a ground-breaking ceremony at 1 p.m. Aug. 4. The renovations will take nine months to a year to complete, Brady said.
Brady said unfortunately the old clinic and new buildings will not be connected. Patients will have to enter the pharmacy and express clinic from a separate outside door.
The 1301 Main building is part of the historical downtown district. First Care was able to come to a compromise with the state's historical society to allow the renovation of the building to move forward.
First Care Clinic recently acquired Hess Clinic. Brady said it will continue to operate that location in addition to the main clinic and new space at 13th and Main.
First Care is unique in that its main clinic is the only one in the area that houses family medical care, mental health services and general dentistry, all under one roof.
"It's part of our commitment to the Hays community," Brady said. "We're improving downtown. I don't know that many people know we employ almost 70 people down here. We are a big economic driver in downtown Hays."