The new Flint Hills Medical Home Clinic unveiled by Irwin Army Community Hospital in Junction City last week could have a negative financial impact on Geary Community Hospital.

The new Clinic is located west of Hwy 77 on Junction City’s west side. It has caught the attention of Geary Community Hospital and Geary County Officials.

“That will be a primary care facility and I do know that it will certainly take some patients, family members and business if you will out of Geary Community Hospital,” said Dr. Joe Stratton, GCH CEO. “We know that, we just don’t know what the impact will be at this point in time. While we understand they have a certain configuration, and they’re trying to make things more efficient with the U.S. Army, and we can appreciate that, we’re not sure exactly what the outcome is going to be for us. But I think it will have some negative impact.”

Stratton went on to say that Geary Community will not likely see the impact until after a year or so.

County Commission Chairman, Ben Bennett, also expressed concerns about the impact the new clinic will have on GCH.

“It’s good for the Army, and it’s good for the people in the Army. But when we put this new wing on the hospital, the reason for that was because of the increase of the size of Fort Riley. That was what most people were banking on when they voted on the bond issue for the hospital renovation,” said Bennett.

The new clinic is designed to serve the family members of Fort Riley’s active duty Soldiers along with military retiree’s and their family members that live within a 30 mile radius of the clinic. It is an extension of Irwin Army Community Hospital which serves up to 42,000 beneficiaries. At its capacity the clinic will provide care for 8,100 beneficiaries.