Many (most?) doctors and the organizations that represent them are still not happy about clinics located in retail stores, but that hasn't had much effect in stopping the growth of the health services outlets in CVS, Walgreens and other locations across the U.S.
As drugstore operators such as Walgreens have pointed out in the past, the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (AKA Obamneycare) will bring roughly 32 million new people not currently covered by health insurance into the system in 2014. Doctors' offices alone will not be enough to address the needs of so many.
Back in 2010, Walgreen CEO Greg Wasson said implementation of the law would "benefit" the chain as "a provider" of healthcare services.
"We've said all along that we support the three core tenets of health care reform: improved quality, greater access to care and lower cost." Mr. Wasson said at the time.
CVS now has about 600 MinuteClinics, serving about 11 million people across the U.S., according to Angela Patterson, regional director of operations for MinuteClinics in California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas.
Ms. Patterson told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the typical MinuteClinic is open 365 days a year for about 10 hours a day providing a convenient way for people to be treated for common ailments that do not require an MD's immediate attention.
"Some people are able come in before work or school or after work," she said. "The patients really set the hours."
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments back in March on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. It remains to be seen what effects an eventual decision by the court will have should justices vote to uphold or throw out parts or all of the act.