Comments on: FREE healthcare (no, really)

By: Glitchus

Glitchus — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:38:47 +0000

Most Wallgreens in Washington state will no longer accept Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) (state run medical welfare) because the state reimbursements will no longer cover the costs to retailers providing the drugs. This is just another example of government “screwing” businesses.

By: An Average American

An Average American — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:45:38 +0000

It’s interesting to note that Walgreen’s is a major contributor to Republican politicians while their chief competitor, CVS, is a major contributor to Democrats. So which offers free health care to the unemployed/uninsured? The conservative Walgreen’s or the liberal CVS? Just goes to show conservatives are about action while liberals are all talk.

By: humdinger

humdinger — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:47:24 +0000

FWIW,
Our local Walgreeens here in small town WV is rather new. Unfortunately, they have failed to pay many of our small local contractors. They do not have clinic, but I will be boycotting until they pay their bills.

By: Dewi

Dewi — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:14:10 +0000

It’s actually a heartbreaking American tragedy that a drug store needs to give away free medical check ups and care to people. Everyone deserves equal access to a HCP that is not dependant upon their employment status.

By: Brendon Carr (Korea Law Blog)

Brendon Carr (Korea Law Blog) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:19:11 +0000

That MinuteClinic visit probably could have cost you $35, as the burden of compliance with insurance company rules and regulations concerning how the physician begs for payment at least double the total cost of primary care. I can’t imagine that ObamaCare will reduce the administrative burden; increasing administrative burden seems to be what they’re all about these days.

And I agree with JLawson — look for Congress to find some way to strangle independent efforts like this to bring market forces to bear on health care.

Still, this is a great move by Walgreens.

By: kiwikit

kiwikit — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:37:13 +0000

And I’m in Walgreen anyway getting my print cartridge filled. As long as one uses a cartridge from the manufacturer (and not one from the internet) the results are terrific. I’ve been using them for about a year with appreciation of their $10 product!

By: WD

WD — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:19:43 +0000

I went to a MinuteClinic in a CVS and it was nice. It turns out I had gotten Strep from my son and I only had to walk in and wait around 10 minutes to see a Nurse Practitioner. She ran a strep test and determined I did have strep and then gave me a prescription which I filled out at the Pharmacy right there. Overall it was a good experience. It did cost my insurance $77 and myself $0. I’ll go back. Plus if I hated it I could choose to go the Walgreens or WalMart etc. since they are all doing the same type of thing. The Free Market will always win.

By: JLawson

JLawson — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:45:24 +0000

If you were to look for some sort of pre-constructed medical infrastructure that the government could ‘assist’ to make sure people have medical care of some sort, you couldn’t do much better than the little clinics in Walgreens and Walmarts nationwide. I haven’t been to one, but I don’t think they could be much worse than sick call when I was in the military – and possibly a lot faster.

Have them do the minor care stuff, refer seriously sick to doctors, refer when needed to hospitals for major/trauma care. And, oddly enough, I think the clinics would pretty much pay for themselves with the increased traffic at the stores they’re installed in…

How long will it be until the government legislates these into extinction, do you think? I give them two years…

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:45:00 +0000

Interesting marketing strategy – this is the first I’ve heard of it. While there are LOTS of Walgreens where I live, I don’t think any have walk-in clinics. Yet.

By: Moogie

Moogie — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:40:48 +0000

Dang! Talk about entrepreneurialism! Go Walgreen! I may have to go staple-shopping there just to support them!