Attention WalMart Shoppers: The Doctor is IN.

In prior postings on the subject, I noted that the delivery of health care services in my local region is controlled in total by a single monopoly. I wrote

…the local "non profit" health-delivery institution is, for all intents and purposes, a monopoly. Through the years, they have worked all the machinations of government regulations to stifle any and all competition that has attempted to make its mark in the area. They have now either driven from business or purchased any effectively competing health-care delivery service that would bring any alternative choices to the area. With no market forces working against the costs, they rise exponentially.

When a person has catastrophic insurance to cover "the big stuff", it’s "pay as you go" for the sore throats and other various "minor" medical needs– coming straight from the wallet. That describes many people I know. Dittoes for those with huge deductibles on their insurance policies. When paying out of pocket, it goes without saying that whatever is saved for the health care service is money left for food and other life needs.

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No one will deny that when Wal Mart showed up on the scene, people were able to spend less money for life’s necessities like toilet paper and food storage containers. This left more to spend on other things, thus increasing the standard of living for consumers of all stripes. Wouldn’t it be good if, instead of being left at the mercy of a monopolistic system with no incentive to control costs to the consumer, somebody like a Wal Mart could offer low-cost alternatives for some of the more mundane medical matters of life?

RediClinic is high-quality, affordable healthcare that fits how we live today. No appointments, no waiting – and routine treatment and preventive care in about 15 minutes. RediClinic’s staff provide convenient and affordable treatment for more than 25 common conditions, such as strep throat and ear infections. They also provide health screening tests, vaccinations, immunizations, and physicals.
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RediClinics are staffed by nurse practitioners who provide high-quality primary care and can order appropriate medications. They are registered nurses with advanced degrees and clinical training, often in partnership with doctors from an outstanding local healthcare system.
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RediClinics are conveniently located in the stores where you already shop, near the pharmacy of select H-E-B and Wal-Mart locations. They are open extended hours every day of the week, including most holidays.

I will never go to a regular doctor for a minor, routine illness again. Sick and wanting an appointment immediately, I went to one of those medical clinics in Wal-Mart. I got in almost immediately, everyone on the staff was extremely friendly, and it only cost $59. Wow. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed.

I was a grudging supporter of these redi-clinic things until my wife developed a very painful UTI and was stuck waiting 6 hours to be seen at the after-hours clinic (since her doctor couldn’t see her on 20 minutes notice, natch). She called to tell me this and I went online while she was driving, found a Minute Clinic, saw that they would diagnose UTIs, and she literally made a U-turn to drive there. 30 minutes total, in and out, Rx in hand and she got a free flu shot while she was waiting. Facility was spotless, clinician was very professional and she even got a card in the mail 2 days later from her clinician. Her comment: "My doctor never sent me a card."