Wal-Mart opens 14 walk-in clinics in South - Political Forum

FRYandBENDER · 05-08-2007, 10:17 AM

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Wal-Mart opens 14 walk-in clinics in South

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. A cost-cutting medical retailer that operates inside Wal-Mart stores, is opening fourteen new clinics in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.
Eight CheckUps walk-in clinics are scheduled to open in Wal-Mart stores in Trussville, Gardendale, Huntsville, Hartselle, Athens, Bay Minette and Mobile. Another six are opening in Mississippi and Louisiana. The clinics are staffed with certified nurse practitioners who work with local physicians.

They diagnose common ailments such as strep throat, ear and sinus infections. They also provide routine pediatric care, blood screenings and immunizations. CheckUp nurse practitioners also can write prescriptions.

The company says visits usually take less than 15 minutes and no appointments are necessary. A routine visit for a medical problem like a cold or flu costs 65 dollars. A hemoglobin test, a critical measure of blood sugar for diabetics, costs 20 dollars. A panel of tests for heart disease and stroke costs 200 bucks.

All the walk-in clinics open at 9 a-m.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

What do you guys think? I think that it is a good idea if they can provide good, affordable healthcare to people who cannot afford health insurance. I mean, they don't cover anything too complicated it sounds like, but for people with sick children, I think it will help out a lot.

Brother Oz · 05-08-2007, 12:11 PM

I see no objection to that.
We don't have that sort of thing at the Wal-Mart where I work (no need, since I live in a civilised country) but there is a chemist, and it's very popular, because a lot of medicine is available much cheaper there than at proper chemists. Plus, it's open longer hours.

One thing I did notice though...

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The company says visits usually take less than 15 minutes and no appointments are necessary. A routine visit for a medical problem like a cold or flu costs 65 dollars. A hemoglobin test, a critical measure of blood sugar for diabetics, costs 20 dollars. A panel of tests for heart disease and stroke costs 200 bucks.

Are these prices cheap?

Izzibeth · 05-08-2007, 03:32 PM

Cheaper than going to the emergency room. With insurance, my copay is $100.00 (though.... strangely enough I went to the ER a couple of weeks ago and I didn't pay at the door nor did I get a bill in the mail yet) just to walk into the emergency room door.

Back in October I got some precancer removed from my cervix. If I didn't have insurance it would have cost me $2,000.00. I was under for about.. oh.. 15 minutes. Luckily I only paid .. I think it was $130.00.

Brother Oz · 05-08-2007, 03:50 PM

All I can say is thank God for the NHS, keeping costs low. Plus the fact we don't pay directly... but of course we pay indirectly, through taxes. It's still cheaper though.

emptypepsi · 05-08-2007, 06:11 PM

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Originally Posted by Brother Oz

I see no objection to that.
We don't have that sort of thing at the Wal-Mart where I work (no need, since I live in a civilised country) but there is a chemist, and it's very popular, because a lot of medicine is available much cheaper there than at proper chemists. Plus, it's open longer hours.

One thing I did notice though...

Are these prices cheap?

WRT the bolded part -- sly move, you dick.

Don't know about the prices being cheaper WRT the diabetic blood test, but the panel is certainly about the same price.

Brother Oz · 05-08-2007, 06:20 PM

As a full-blooded Briton, it is my duty to constantly point out the superiority of Britannia over inferior regiphobic traitor countries. It's part of my culture. So if anyone says I can't, they're intolerant ethno-centric bigots!

emptypepsi · 05-08-2007, 08:29 PM

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Originally Posted by Brother Oz

As a full-blooded Briton, it is my duty to constantly point out the superiority of Britannia over inferior regiphobic traitor countries. It's part of my culture. So if anyone says I can't, they're intolerant ethno-centric bigots!

Look here you limey wanker - As a typical full-of-pride American it is my duty to stand up to over-bearing, over-taxing imperialists! You're just jealous! Now go watch Benny Hill, or whatever it is you people do over there.

Brother Oz · 05-08-2007, 08:48 PM

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As a typical full-of-pride American it is my duty to stand up to over-bearing, over-taxing imperialists!

That sounds like racism to me. You don't want to be a racist do you?

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Benny Hill

I don't even know what that is.

Anyway, we should probably get back to the actual article at hand.
Is there anyone who thinks that this is a bad idea? I've heard some people say that it will drive out local doctors and so on.

emptypepsi · 05-08-2007, 08:53 PM

I hope this happens, and I think it will be a good idea so long as it is not abused by the general public. I don't see how this will drive out local doctors. Most people who would go to these places are the people who abuse Emergency Rooms as if they are clinics.

Brother Oz · 05-08-2007, 08:58 PM

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Most people who would go to these places are the people who abuse Emergency Rooms as if they are clinics.

What do you mean?