What does Wal-Mart’s Healthcare Retail and IT Play imply for Patients, Physicians, Providers and the rest of us?

This blogpost was first published on the 13th of August, 2008.

Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in history, is betting big on Healthcare and why not!

Given the escalating costs of healthcare in a recession impacted economy with well over 47 million Americans bereft of any kind of insurance coverage, the notion of low cost retail clinics at your friendly neighborhood retail store, is an idea whose timing is night! After all, can you and should you pay for a “Mercedes Benz” like treatment at your physician’s clinic that will cost an arm and a leg for a common cold or strep throat, when a walk-in clinic at your nearest mega-retail store can offer “Toyota quality” treatment from a qualified and experienced nurse practitioner for perhaps as little as $30-60 per patient? (more…)