Wal-Mart Unexpectedly Closes 15 More In-Store Clinics

The fiasco of “in-store clinics” reminds me of when Wal-Mart experimented with selling used cars in the parking lot.

Date: Monday, July 14 2003

HOUSTON—Asbury Automotive Group Inc. has stopped selling used cars at Wal-Mart stores after losing almost $6 million on the experiment. Asbury, the nation’s fifth-largest dealership group, lost $4.8 million on the Price 1 Auto Stores pilot in 2002 and $900,000 in the first quarter of 2003, according to Automotive News.

I’m sure whoever came up with these brilliant ideas was rewarded with a raise and stock options.

This was discussed to a degree in earlier threads,about WalMart PARTNERING with hospital systems. Just an observation,but the legal liabilities could be enormous from lawsuits. Does anyone recall the very recent case in Las Vegas of hundreds of people being exposed and/or infected with hepaqtitis due to REUSE of syringes ? How about presecribing medication that could result in severe allergic reaction? One can consider many scenarios where culpability could be medically harmful.What kind of quality control could you reasonably expect?

That should have said “lack of credibility and culpabilty”

This was discussed to a degree in earlier threads,about WalMart PARTNERING with hospital systems. Just an observation,but the legal liabilities could be enormous from lawsuits. Does anyone recall the very recent case in Las Vegas of hundreds of people being exposed and/or infected with hepaqtitis due to REUSE of syringes ? How about presecribing medication that could result in severe allergic reaction? One can consider many scenarios where culpability could be medically harmful.What kind of quality control could you reasonably expect?

Delusional as ever, I see.

To read *s post, one would think that a blue-shirted cashier is the same person who draws your blood inside one of these in-store clinics.

Time to raise the BS flag again…

* , it’s pretty basic - stores like WM, CVS, Walgreens, and others leases-out the space inside the store to these clinic operators (who are held accountable the same as similar providers in their industry). 

WM gets the money for the store space, and from a consumer’s perspective, it beats having to schlep across town to the family doctor for something as simple as a flu shot.

The above article also states that WalMart had tried to open clinics in its OWN name,but with little success and to be run by staff from St. Vincents Hospital in Arkansassceduled opening in April of ‘08-but yet to be opened. For the THIRD time I will post the original discussion re: WalMart clinic partnerships--------------------------------------------------------"I wouldn’t sweat it, folks—ddrb suffers from a type paranoia that is typical of the anti-WM crowd.

When your local (or mega) bank operates a branch inside a Wal-Mart (or any other big store), does that mean Wal-Mart has access to your account information??

I think not.

bbrd in
Saturday, February 23 at 10:52 AM

bbrd: Is WalMart a legal partner to those banks? NO! THAT"S the difference. My understanding is that the clinics that recently closed in the WalMarts were merely leased out. They were independent contractors. Kinda like the banks. These NEW clinics will be a PARTNERSHIP between WalMart and hospitals. THAT’S a BIG difference,in my books.

ddrb in
Saturday, February 23 at 11:21 AM________________

P.S. : Consider that the THIRD replay of another TWIN SPIN,!

The above article also states that WalMart had tried to open clinics in its OWN name...

In order to know that, dd, bbrd would have to actually read the blog entries before commenting. It’s much easier, and less mentally taxing to just spout off, shooting from the hip. That may explain why bbrd constantly shoots himself in the foot. A trait he picked up from such close proximity to the Beast of Bentonville no doubt.

...it beats having to schlep across town to the family doctor for something as simple as a flu shot.

Apparently, it doesn’t.

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that. ~ George Carlin R.I.P.

These NEW clinics will be a PARTNERSHIP between WalMart and hospitals. THAT’S a BIG difference,in my books.

Better blow the dust off those books…

Not exactly—at best, WM may license the provider to use the WM brand in conjunction with their own—stuff like that happens all the time in business.

A trait he picked up from such close proximity to the Beast of Bentonville no doubt.

And the theories continue…

Wal-Mart Plans To Open 400 Health Clinics By 2010~~~~~~~~~~~Wal-Mart has announced a plan to open hundreds of in-store medical clinics within the next two years, aiming to have 400 clinics up and running by 2010.

The announcement comes on the heels of the overnight closing of the prominent Wal-Mart in-store clinic CheckUps, which literally closed so suddenly not even its employees knew not to come into work. Those 23 CheckUps that shut their doors represented nearly one third of Wal-Mart’s current in-store clinics.

The CheckUps debacle apparently was caused by a startup company that couldn’t bring in enough revenue quickly enough to cover its costs. It’ll be interesting to see how Wal-Mart addresses this in the future - obviously it would be in Wal-Mart’s best interest this time around to do a little homework and partner with companies it knows will succeed.

The story, out of Phoenix, reported several Phoenix are hospitals were reluctant to discuss the issue.

Wal-Mart to open 400 health clinics nationally by year 2010 [Phoenix Business Journal]

Grocery, drug and retail chains are expanding to offer in-store medical clinics as uninsured patients with common illnesses clog Valley emergency rooms.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the nation’s largest retailer, is eyeing the Arizona market and looking to partner with local hospitals and health systems to run mini clinics in its stores.

“We want to provide a point of entry into the health care system for people who are uninsured and underinsured,” said Daniel Morales, director of communications for Wal-Mart’s Southwest region.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based chain plans to open 400 walk-in clinics at existing Wal-Mart Supercenters, starting in Atlanta and Dallas. By the end of the summer, company officials should have a better handle on how many will open in Arizona, Morales said.

“We don’t have a number for Arizona,” Morales said. “It’s way too premature. We are looking for partners in the state of Arizona—hospitals and health systems we can partner with so we can put these clinics in our stores.”

Bill Byron, spokesman for Banner Health, the largest health system in Arizona, said it is an intriguing concept.

“We’re certainly interested in this as a new development, as all providers should be,” Byron said. “But at this time, I’m not aware that we’re involved in any discussions about this. A lot of exploration needs to occur as to whether or not that will come to pass.”

Other hospitals were reluctant to discuss the issue. Officials from St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association declined to comment.

This new strategy comes on the heels of New York-based CheckUps—one of Wal-Mart’s retail clinic partners—closing its doors in 23 Wal-Mart stores in Florida, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Note:Sounds like a WHOLE lot more than a licensing agreement (which is yet another tax loophole. )

And the theories continue…

You may not have any official ties with the Beast, bbrd, but you are certainly in bed with it. And that’s not a theory, it’s an observation.

One of the weaknesses of our age is our apparent inability to distinguish our need from our greed.

ddrb,

So, are you saying that partnering with a hospital would provide ‘poor’ service?  Don’t you think that hospital personal are qualified to run a clinic?

Both Walgreens and CVC, announced this week that they are expanding their efforts at installing clinics in their stores!!

where are ken,screwed by and ddrb pissing and whining about cvc,walgreens and etc doing the same thing wm is doing?

Personally, I hope both Walgreens and CVC hit it out of the park with their in-store clinics. That would prove the idea was sound but not at Wal-Mart..

Just because people are willing to buy cheap underwear from Wal-Mart doesn’t mean they’ll shop for health care or used cars from the Beast. I mean, come on, would you buy a used car from Lee Scott?

Both Walgreens and CVC, announced this week that they are expanding their efforts at installing clinics in their stores!!

Exactly, RDS.

I’ve been know to use such in-store clinics, myself (as of this writing, none of my local WM’s are in the game, yet—and for me, the corner mega-drug chain is closer) for simple things like flu shots, etc.

By the way, don’t you and Cap Ken-merica mean CVS?

Ken V,

“Just because people are willing to buy cheap underwear from Wal-Mart”

Sorry, that Wal-Mart’s “Hanes” and “Fruit of the Looms” aren’t GOOD enough for YOU, guess you need ‘silk boxers’ to cover your toilet paper sensitive butt!!

BTW: Do you carry around a roll of ‘good’ toilet paper, in case you have to do your duty, somewhere other than your home?

BTW: Do you carry around a roll of ‘good’ toilet paper, in case you have to do your duty, somewhere other than your home?

Good luck, RDS - I believe our friend Mary already asked Cap Ken-merica what brand he preferred (and to date, he hasn’t answered).

Some of you occasional readers may be asking yourselves, “Why all this talk about toilet paper?”

Awhile back I used the following quote:

“I don’t think someone getting a good deal on toilet paper at Walmart is, through their purchase, endorsing Walmart’s business practices.” ~ Greg Spotts

For some strange reason the topic of toilet paper appeals to the pro Wal-Mart bunch. Lord knows why? And now they want to know what underwear I prefer. :o)

Isn’t that a violation of Alex Goldschmidt’s Respect and Relevancy Rule?

Let me correct you Ken.  The subject of toilet paper came up when all of the anti-walmart people talked about your “quality fade” in purchasing only “crap” products at Walmart.  I talked about price comparisons between my local Safeway store and Walmart and how Walmart beats the pants off of Safeway in pricing for household items including toilet paper.... and we’re comparing name brands with same skus..... but alot cheaper at Walmart.  I know first hand because I have done the comparisons and it’s no contest.

...and we’re comparing name brands with same skus...

Shhhhh!  You can’t go-around saying that, Mary!

The “logic” behind the “anti Kool-Aid” is because the same SKU/UPC-coded product is sold at WM, it must be substandard/second best!

Actually, something like that would be against the law, if I’m not mistaken…

For some strange reason the topic of toilet paper appeals to the pro Wal-Mart bunch. Lord knows why? And now they want to know what underwear I prefer.

NOTE FOR THE OCCASSIONAL READER: Cap Ken-merica has had a fascination with TP and undies for as long as I can recall…

Ken V,

“Awhile back I used the following quote:”

Also, many times, you used a quote about ‘cheap underware’ and in both quotes, your inference was that anybody who would buy their TP or underware at Wal-Mart, must not care about quality!!

ken proved what a selfish hypocrite he is.he wants walgreeens and cvc to succed and has no problem with what they are doing,but walmart tries to do what walgreens and cvc is doing and ken bitches proving my point about him and all his wm hater pals on here.

..... but alot cheaper at Walmart.

As you know, Mary, I’ve said many times if you can find a product cheaper at Wal-Mart then buy it! But be sure it is the same...and don’t buy other things believing they are automatically the cheapest also.

It is in the best interest of the Anti Wal-Mart Movement for people to exploit Wal-Mart’s loss leader tactic.

...you used a quote about ‘cheap underware’

Here it is for anyone who missed it:

There is more to life than cheap underwear. ~ Penninsula Neighborhood Association

Are you guys saying there isn’t more to life than cheap underwear?

**I apologize to the casual reader for subjecting them to a ridicuous discussion of toilet paper and cheap underwear, but it’s so much fun to pull the pro Wal-Marter’s strings and watch them ‘perform’.

Ken V,

“For some strange reason the topic of toilet paper appeals to the pro Wal-Mart bunch. Lord knows why? And now they want to know what underwear I prefer. :o)

Isn’t that a violation of Alex Goldschmidt’s Respect and Relevancy Rule?”

And, since YOU were the one who brought these things up in the first place, aren’t YOU the one that violated Alex’s RULE?

What is… “Bird Flu” and other communicable diseases at WalMart amongst Chinese loss leader squalor and ill 26 hour/wk impoverished wage slaves vomiting for another huge lawsuit Alex?

What is… “Bird Flu” and other communicable diseases at WalMart amongst Chinese loss leader squalor and ill 26 hour/wk impoverished wage slaves vomiting for another huge lawsuit Alex?

Seriously, at first glance, I thought it to be spam—then I came to this conclusion…

SVD is just plain goofy!

San Diego View has one hell of a point. I do not want to go in to a store that has sick folk all over the place. I do not want my kids going to Walmart and then they come home sick. We have enough problems with that from school when in session and why would you put a clinic in a store at all?

USN: My point exactly,also, that I have expressed on earlier threads ,here, on this site. If you type in in-store clinics in the search box in the upper right corner ,there is much archived discussion of the pros AND cons ,for a couple of years now,about this issue,here on this blog -including privacy issues.

BTW-If this is so desirable,why does it appear that these hospital systems aren’t “chomping at the bit” to hook up with WalMart on these ins store clinics?Perhaps they have “reservations”,also?

You can see the big picture USN and the potential it has upon you and your family. Which makes your thinking and conclusions far better than that of bbrd, another well know Pro-WalMart junkie imbecile.

WalMart- We make you want to vomit. In store or out.

SVD is just plain goofy!

Goofy? It’s pure poetry. Once again, bb, you demonstrate that all your taste is in your mouth.

Welcome USN in Virginia Beach. How’s the NAV these days?

USN,

“ I do not want to go in to a store that has sick folk all over the place.”

Then you had better stay out of Walgreens and CVS Drug stores, they are putting in clinics too!!  Also, you had better stay away from Medical Centers and hospitals, as they are full of sick people too!!  In fact, there are sick people all over, so maybe you had better just stay in your house!!

RDS: CVS,Walgreen’s, and hospitals are NOT attempting to sell healthy food ,simultaneously,in the same environment.

“CVS,Walgreen’s, and hospitals are NOT attempting to sell healthy food ,simultaneously,in the same environment.”

So, you can only get ‘sick’ being around other sick people, as long as the place you are at with them, is NOT attempting to sell healthy food, right?

BTW: they do sell food at Walgreens!!

RDS you imbecile. You do not go to the hospital or clinic to buy groceries or your nice new Nazi t-shirt and risk getting sick while doing so. Conversely, you don’t want to go to the store for treatment in influenza, TB, measles or other communicable diseases and risk further illness beyond your Nazi fashion shopping and taste.

If you still dispute the validity of the discretion RDS, may I suggest you physically go out and seek to disprove the discretion by shopping for sauerkraut and cheap underwear at the emergency room. Not that WalMart obviously ever gave a crap about employee or customer health but surely you can miss the point and remain as always a sick ‘Twisted Mister’ aka RDS.

WalMart- If you think we make you want to puke now, just wait until our lust for money sneezes all over you near the bargain dog food.