Wal-Mart to Open 400 In-store Health Clinics

After their failed bank bid, Wal-Mart is looking for other ways to enmesh their superstores into towns big and (mostly) small across America.  And they may have found a way: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said on Tuesday that it will contract with local hospitals and other organizations to open as many as 400 in-store health clinics in the next two to three years.

Nothing says “good idea” like getting health care from a store known for deep discounts on patio furniture and not always paying for its own employees’ health care.

Those 400 clinics are projected to jump to 2,000 in five to seven years.

"We think the clinics will be a great opportunity for our business. But most importantly, they are going to provide something our customers and communities desperately need — affordable access at the local level to quality health care," said Wal-Mart Chief Executive Officer Lee Scott in a statement.

Wal-Mart said the health clinics, which will lease space in its stores, will be managed by local or regional hospitals and/or other organizations that are independent of Wal-Mart.