Good News Clinics, Health Access Initiative merging

GAINESVILLE - Two groups that provide for the health care needs of the uninsured in the Gainesville area are merging, Good News Clinics and the Hall County Medical Society's Health Access Initiative.

Good News Executive Director Cheryl Christian says her board of directors was recently approached about a merger by the Health Access board.

Christian says it seems a natural fit because the two groups have worked together over the years in serving the area's less fortunate. She says it should be a "seamless" transition and will eliminate some the paperwork involved in dealing with the needs of patients on both ends.

Both groups depend on volunteer doctors. Good News uses primarily General Practioners while the Health Access Initiative includes specialists such as surgeons, oncologists, etc. Christian said the merger is expected to be finalized at the end of next month.

She added Good News will have to turn a classroom into office space to accommodate Health Access but "we are looking at expanding the building next year."