EMHS, Wal-Mart opening clinics
6/19/09 | 27 comments
Health

EMHS, Wal-Mart opening clinics


In-store health care expected this year
By Meg Haskell
BDN Staff

BREWER, Maine — Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems expects to team up with Wal-Mart to open health care clinics at some stores in the EMHS service area before the end of this year.

The pending partnership was announced at the annual meeting Thursday of the EMHS corporators, a group charged with providing community oversight of the organization and its affiliates.

EMHS President and Chief Executive Officer Michelle Hood told the group that the decision to contract with Wal-Mart to staff the in-store clinics is an example of “leadership and agility” in the organization.

After the meeting, Hood said it was only a matter of time before Wal-Mart brought in-store clinics to Maine.

“We wanted to be sure that if it came to our part of the state, we would be involved,” she said. Hood said talks are still under way with the retail giant, but that it appears that clinical staff from EMHS affiliates will staff the small clinics.

A spokeswoman from Wal-Mart said the company was “making no announcements at this time” regarding clinics in Maine. The clinics, which are popular in many other states, have not found their way to any stores in New England, she said. There are 24 Wal-Mart stores and one distribution center in Maine.

Speaking after the meeting, Dr. Erik Steele, chief medical officer for EMHS, said clinics located inside retail stores can make it easier for consumers to get access to basic health care. Patients with minor medical needs who don’t have their own primary care providers — about 30 percent of all Americans don’t — can be seen conveniently and inexpensively at such sites, he said. The more people who seek care in such settings, the less pressure is put on overwhelmed and expensive hospital emergency rooms, which many people use for nonemergency care, Steele said.

But in-store clinics can work against the current thinking in the U.S. medical community that all patients be affiliated with a community primary care office that maintains comprehensive health records, coordinates care and makes referrals to specialists as needed, he acknowledged.

Other topics covered at the annual meeting included clinical milestones of the past year, such as the expansion of patient care technology, the standardization of treatment protocols, and the implementation of a program that helps patients purchase medications at a lower cost. The past year also saw the retirement of Acadia Hospital CEO and President Dottie Hill.

Hood discussed upcoming challenges for health care systems in Maine, including changing Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, tighter regulation of private insurance companies, and the Obama administration’s commitment to overhauling the way health care is delivered nationally. Taken in combination with the steep economic recession of the past year, she said, all health care providers must look for effective ways to hold down costs and generate new sources of revenue.

On the topic of the health care work force, Hood said nurses, physicians, pharmacists and respiratory therapists are among the professionals in short supply in northern Maine. She spoke of a growing trend toward giving patients a greater role in determining their care and the need to promote “health care literacy” within the general public.

Because of its nonprofit status, EMHS and its nonprofit affiliates are required to report each year on the value of their “community benefits,” including public health activities, education, charitable contributions and subsidized health services. The systemwide community benefits reported at Thursday’s meeting were valued at $57,213,978 for the first six months of the current EMHS fiscal year, which started Oct. 1, 2008.

EMHS is the corporate parent of Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, The Acadia Hospital in Bangor, The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle, Blue Hill Memorial Hospital, C.A. Dean Memorial Hospital & Nursing Home in Greenville, Inland Hospital in Waterville and Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield. It also is the parent of numerous outpatient medical practices, nursing homes and health-related entities in the northern half of Maine.

Steele also serves as the interim CEO and president at the Blue Hill hospital, which has recently experienced severe financial hardship that has resulted in staff layoffs, executive pay cuts and the discontinuation of its birthing and obstetrical services. He said the 28-bed hospital’s finances are stabilizing.

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Comments
27 comments on this item
On 6/19/09 at 5:27 AM, BobByn wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Thanks Wal-Mart, finally affordable, good healthcare!

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On 6/19/09 at 6:32 AM, sebec39 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I wonder where the patient records would be kept, and how accessible they would be to unauthorized persons?

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On 6/19/09 at 7:03 AM, 4CommonCents wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I think this is a good thing that local providers may be able to provide these services, and the revenue generated will stay here in Maine.

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On 6/19/09 at 7:40 AM, bigjohn441956 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I,too, think this a great idea! Many people I know use EMHS and shop at both Wal-Marts in Bangor and Brewer.Combining the two would cut down on time spent traveling between both places.Maybe even save some gas here and there.

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On 6/19/09 at 8:11 AM, boogyman wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Awesome, where else but America can you buy your grocieries, some underwear, a set of tires and a get a colinoscopy all in one stop!!

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On 6/19/09 at 8:50 AM, Bangorian wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Leave it to Wal-Mart to find a way to get a piece of the lucrative healthcare pie. That place is both evil and just plain gross.

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On 6/19/09 at 9:18 AM, PabMainer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

boggyman don't forget your regular prostate exam also....

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On 6/19/09 at 9:23 AM, berquis wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The already offer eye exams in some stores so... I guess.

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On 6/19/09 at 9:47 AM, equalrightsforall wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Enough is enough! It is time to break up the Walmart monopoly. America is the "Land of Opportunity", not the "Land of Unlimited Opportunity". We local businesses have room to put in an EMHS Clinic! Why do we need Walmart? It is time to stop the oppression, the corruption and the discrimination that the media, government and large corporations have created. Equality is not what the majority of the people want it is what is fair and just for everyone.

If we are going to have a strong economy here in America, then we need to spread the opportunities to more of us. As long as Walmart remains strong, America will remain weak! Come on Maine vote with your dollars. We need to create jobs and opportunities here in Maine and all of America by spreading our dollars around.

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On 6/19/09 at 9:47 AM, equalrightsforall wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Enough is enough! It is time to break up the Walmart monopoly. America is the "Land of Opportunity", not the "Land of Unlimited Opportunity". We local businesses have room to put in an EMHS Clinic! Why do we need Walmart? It is time to stop the oppression, the corruption and the discrimination that the media, government and large corporations have created. Equality is not what the majority of the people want it is what is fair and just for everyone.

If we are going to have a strong economy here in America, then we need to spread the opportunities to more of us. As long as Walmart remains strong, America will remain weak! Come on Maine vote with your dollars. We need to create jobs and opportunities here in Maine and all of America by spreading our dollars around.

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On 6/19/09 at 10:00 AM, quink2495 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

"Thanks Wal-Mart, finally affordable, good healthcare!"

That everybody now needs thanks to all the cheaply made, toxic products and produce you sell. Please agree to provide affordable vet visits as well, just to alleviate some of the suffering you also inflict on pets across the country.

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On 6/19/09 at 10:08 AM, irv4me wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Wal-Mart still never gives up in it's quest to give you everything under the sun in one place. Notice though, that they all have to be considerable money makers. No day cares to speak of, Wal-Mart pretends to be a "community center" in the same way a mall does. As long as you're spending money, they are happy. I still can't believe the supercenter on Stillwater Ave. got approved after so many years of backlash and fighting against it. If anyone really wants to see change in our city/economy, they need to run for city council and get elected - be that change.

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On 6/19/09 at 11:19 AM, berquis wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Forgive me for saying so, but I LOVE Walmart!!! (Except the stupid "GHETTO-MART" in Lincoln, where they don't have 1/2 the products as other wal-marts and the employees aren't as friendly, sorry guys.) I think that this will be a good thing for people. IF local businesses want to be involved with EMHS maybe they should start by contacting them. Can't really be angry because Wal-mart did it first.

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On 6/19/09 at 12:09 PM, quink2495 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I don't think anyone is angry Walmart did it first. I think their angry because Walmart is not paying it's employees enough to live on, encouraging suppliers to send production overseas and not doing enough to ensure that the products they sell are safe. berquis, I understand, certainly in these economic times, the temptation to rely on a company that can promise low, low prices, but one winds up paying for it later on.

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On 6/19/09 at 12:09 PM, quink2495 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

*they are angry*

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On 6/19/09 at 12:59 PM, berquis wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I guess I don't agree with your point quink2495. If you don't like Wal-mart don't shop there. Until some other store can offer the same prices, products etc. I will continue to shop there. My family IS what I am concerned about. If a person is upset about what wal-mart pays, they can move on and give someone else a chance to make a little money. How much do you think that a cashier, shelf stocker is worth? They are making minimum wage just the same as anyone else without a college degree. (Myself included). I'm not saying anything bad about working at wal-mart, just don't expect to make as much as a doctor.

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On 6/19/09 at 1:19 PM, downbeat wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Fact: Walmart did more last year than anybody including the goverment to reduce healthcare costs by lowering copays on a bunch of medications...everyone is now following their lead to compete...maybe the maine hospitals can learn something from Walmart's cost management expertise. Let's see how this works before we badmouth everyone... better than the goverment putting up walk in clinics..

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On 6/19/09 at 1:29 PM, quink2495 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I don't shop there berquis. What point is it you don't agree with? The wages? It isn't between making low wages or making the income of a doctor. You do have a point that minimum wage jobs are the same at any other establishment. Those other places of employment also do not offer benefits. The point about them making the same as anyone else without a college degree is wrong. Jobs at paper mills, logging, fishing and various other occupations didn't require a college education and paid more than some college degree requiring positions. Manufacturing jobs of all sorts are leaving because of Walmart. Again, I understand the need to look out for one's own during these tough times, but eventually it will be depend on the state, the big box store or both.

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On 6/19/09 at 1:43 PM, berquis wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

So then go work at a papermill, logging outfit, fishing boat, or various other occupation. Some don't have a job at all and would loooove one. That is my point.

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On 6/19/09 at 1:48 PM, Brewer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Walmart and its employees do a lot for the people of our communities, especially raising money for children's miracle network.

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On 6/19/09 at 3:54 PM, Bangorian wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Taking money from customer's and then turning it over to the children's miracle network in the form of a wal-mart check is not an especially generous gesture. They're simply taking credit for the money that you are donating.

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On 6/19/09 at 4:16 PM, ronaldo82k wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

"Walmart and its employees do a lot for the people of our communities, especially raising money for children's miracle network."

Walmart also has 99% of their employees work under 40 hours a week so they dont get any benefits plus low pay. The employees paychecks go right back to walmart because they dont have enough money to spend it anywhere else. Good business plan I suppose.

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On 6/19/09 at 6:35 PM, BobByn wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Wal-Mart Rocks!! The one place where your dollar goes farther!

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On 6/19/09 at 7:37 PM, Larryt39 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Come on Bangorian, why are you so bitter about Wal-Mart, and Brewer in particular? Loosen up..Larry T. Doughty, South Brewer. larrytdoughty@yahoo.com, www.ourstory.com/larrytdoughty/

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On 6/19/09 at 8:15 PM, sassyfrazz wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Quote: Come on Bangorian, why are you so bitter about Wal-Mart...Unquote

Well I don't know about Brewer, but Bangorian could possibly dislike the fact that Wal-Mart will most likely become the only place left in the area to shop, and adding healthcare to the mix just cements the concept of monopoly for many people. I mean let's face it - where are 90 % of most people going to shop in this economy? How can we even begin to compare the juggernaut of any major retailer (whatever the name Wal-Mart or any other) with smaller stores that can't even remotely compete with their purchasing power? Yes, Wal-Mart helps the community - that's good, but a good long thought about the ratio of money coming in vs. money headed to Arkansas may be in order the next time we get on our soapboxes about paying out Mainecare benefits. That 10 cent savings just cost you $5.00 to support the Mainecare coverage that many employees qualify for. Now healthcare? You suppose eventually they'll have self-exam isles like the self-checkout ones I am beginning to see in stores like Hannaford now? Can you say "There goes even more jobs down the tubes?" Poor service and far less choice. I'll put away my crystal ball (as well as my broom) now.

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On 6/19/09 at 8:34 PM, elmster wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

funny my wife has worked for walmart for over 6 years now makes more then double minnium wages, works hard and has great benifits. soem of the items are yea cheap but others are the same they sell at circuit city and or best buy for 100's less. They can compete because they only need to make .11 cents profit on every item sold in order to cover the cost. Not to mentiont he new stillwater store has let them add 125 jobs for people that need and wanted them. Why all the complaning about a company that has worked hard done the math and relised the right buiness model is to sell more items at less profit. seems all you complaning people need to go see what they do every store every month gives at least 1k in donations to local organations that need it, they raise money for CMN like nobodys buiness, and honestly they sell everything cheaper then anyopne else so your money goes farther. if you dont like them great your choice but dont harp on them for having a good buiness model and doing things that have let them succed. You cna go spend your money other places but let people that cant afford to even park downtown spend where it will help thier family more. Ohg and by the way thiere starting rate is higher then minnumin wage and offer benifits after 30 days who else does that. but guess you all think fast food companys should not be here ether. or maybe disney shoudl not make moves because they are not being fair because they have a known market.

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On 6/20/09 at 8:00 PM, HippyKicker wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Hope it works out. Keep an eye on prescriptions written out of these clinics... I'm sure the drug hunters will be hitting a place like this with many imaginary illnesses.

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