You want a cell phone. You do your research and find that you have several options. You can choose from Nextel, Sprint, Nokia, Cingular, AT&T, Helio, T-Mobile, and an ever expanding list of providers. Each company strives to increase quality and reputation to persuade you and me to buy their product.
As a result quality moves up and customers have several options. Business leaders and entrepreneurs in Michigan and around the country see that this is not true of health care. Limited choices, rising costs, and very strict licensing laws make it hard for new businesses to enter the market.
MinuteClinic (www.minuteclinic.com), the first and largest provider of retail-based health care in the United States, recentrly opened 9 retail based health care facilities. "MinuteClinic health care centers are staffed by master's-prepared, board- certified nurse practitioners who specialize in family health care and are trained to diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. MinuteClinic also offers common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus, MMR, and Hepatitis A & B," says an August 30 press release from the company.
The clinics will obviously not be able to perform all the services that a doctor can. However, there will be a decrease in revenue to doctors because many people will opt to go to a cheaper walk in clinic for minor problems like runny noses or stomach aches.
Clinic leaders say they are providing health care solutions to people who would otherwise go without care, or who would have to pay steep prices at the hospital. The clinic charges $40 - $50 for what a hospital would charge $150 or $200.
Juliet A. Santos, president of Early Solutions Clinic, said that about 40 percent of her patients are uninsured. "We are seeing a majority of people who don't have insurance and they're looking for access and affordability."
The debate will most likely continue to heat up as more Americans feel the strain of high health care costs. One thing is certain. These clinics add something to this debate – another choice.
As a result quality moves up and customers have several options. Business leaders and entrepreneurs in Michigan and around the country see that this is not true of health care. Limited choices, rising costs, and very strict licensing laws make it hard for new businesses to enter the market.
MinuteClinic (www.minuteclinic.com), the first and largest provider of retail-based health care in the United States, recentrly opened 9 retail based health care facilities. "MinuteClinic health care centers are staffed by master's-prepared, board- certified nurse practitioners who specialize in family health care and are trained to diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. MinuteClinic also offers common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus, MMR, and Hepatitis A & B," says an August 30 press release from the company.
The clinics will obviously not be able to perform all the services that a doctor can. However, there will be a decrease in revenue to doctors because many people will opt to go to a cheaper walk in clinic for minor problems like runny noses or stomach aches.
Clinic leaders say they are providing health care solutions to people who would otherwise go without care, or who would have to pay steep prices at the hospital. The clinic charges $40 - $50 for what a hospital would charge $150 or $200.
Juliet A. Santos, president of Early Solutions Clinic, said that about 40 percent of her patients are uninsured. "We are seeing a majority of people who don't have insurance and they're looking for access and affordability."
The debate will most likely continue to heat up as more Americans feel the strain of high health care costs. One thing is certain. These clinics add something to this debate – another choice.
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