Wal-Mart is strategically planning to have full primary care practices in certain Wal-Mart locations within five to seven years, or so Marcus Osborne, the Vice President of Health and Payer Relations at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. stated at the Foundation of Associated Industries of Florida’s 2013 Florida Health Care Affordability Summit in response to a question from an attending nurse practitioner.

Osborne stated Wal-Mart was focusing on rural locations because “frankly that’s [where] the Wal-Mart customer [is].” Now Wal-Mart is stating that’s not their plan and Osborne misspoke. The Orlando Business Journal covers this waffling beautifully.

I’m not sure why Wal-Mart isn’t pursuing this strategy. Affordable healthcare – whether it’s at the neighborhood Wal-Mart or a spa-like office – is needed. In Texas, Wal-Mart is prevalent. 25% of our population is uninsured, and it scares me to think of the number of people without primary care providers or a medical home. Wal-Mart could be a saving grace to many areas in Texas – not only for the uninsured needing quick, cash payment options, but also for the insured seeking convenience in medically underserved areas (MUAs) also designated as health professional shortage areas (HPSAs).

What do you think about Wal-Mart’s back-and-forth plan to offer full primary care services at select locations?