Content about healthcare

April 4, 2013

Walgreen Co. said Thursday that its in-store Take Care Clinics have expanded the scope of healthcare services offered beyond treating minor ailments like sinus infections to include assessment, treatment and management for chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma and others, as well as additional preventive health services.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. said Thursday that its in-store Take Care Clinics have expanded the scope of healthcare services offered beyond treating minor ailments like sinus infections to include assessment, treatment and management for chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma and others, as well as additional preventive health services.

The new services are now available at the more than 330 Take Care Clinics located at select Walgreens (excludes clinics in Missouri).

January 10, 2013

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Arkansas governor Mike Beebe announced Thursday that Wal-Mart will join an Arkansas program intended to change the way that private insurers and Medicaid pay for services.

Little Rock, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Arkansas governor Mike Beebe announced Thursday that Wal-Mart will join an Arkansas program intended to change the way that private insurers and Medicaid pay for services. Wal-Mart’s Arkansas employees’ insurance plans, which cover about 57,000 workers, will become a part of the statewide program.

The retailer has committed $670,000 toward a tracking system to measure the program’s success as well as distribute information about the reforms.

November 12, 2012

Walmart’s U.S. employees will pay between 8% and 36% more in premiums for its medical coverage in 2013, Reuters reported.

New York -- Walmart’s U.S. employees will pay between 8% and 36% more in premiums for its medical coverage in 2013, Reuters reported.  

For its most popular plan, which covers individuals, the payment per bi-weekly paycheck is going up by $2, or 13%, the report said. Some other plans would have higher increases.

November 8, 2012

In a letter sent to President Barack Obama, RILA President Sandy Kennedy argued that the Administration’s failure in a timely manner to provide employers with formal guidance on the most basic of implementation rules for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) jeopardizes employer-sponsored healthcare coverage.

Arlington, Va. – In a letter sent Thursday to President Barack Obama, RILA President Sandy Kennedy argued that the Administration’s failure in a timely manner to provide employers with formal guidance on the most basic of implementation rules for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) jeopardizes employer-sponsored healthcare coverage.

“RILA is extremely concerned that when formal guidance is finally released, employers will not have ample time to plan, budget and implement changes in order to comply with the new law,” said Kennedy.

October 26, 2012

Nearly half (49%) of retail CFOs expect their capital expenditures will increase in the next 12 months, a 19-point uptick that leads all industries, and 29% expect to consider additional financing for expenditures, also leading all industries.

New York -- Nearly half (49%) of retail CFOs expect their capital expenditures will increase in the next 12 months, a 19-point uptick that leads all industries, and 29% expect to consider additional financing for expenditures, also leading all industries. according to GE Capital’s latest semi-annual “U.S. Mid-Market CFO Survey.” (Retail respondents have revenues of $150 million and an employee count of 1,235, on average. Data comparisons are against the GE Capital Mid-Market’s CFO Survey executed in first quarter 2012.

September 12, 2012

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation told a congressional panel Wednesday that the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury have used too much informal guidance and not enough formal rulemaking in developing regulations to implement the new healthcare reform law, complicating retailers’ and other employers’ ability to plan for what will be required in 2014. NRF is concerned that the situation is the latest example of regulatory uncertainty that is hampering businesses’ attempts to expand and create jobs.



June 28, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court has just ruled that, while the individual mandate to buy health insurance is unconstitutional, this key part of President Obama’s signature healthcare law can stay as part of Congress’s power under a taxing clause.

New York -- The U.S. Supreme Court has just ruled that, while the individual mandate to buy health insurance is unconstitutional, this key part of President Obama’s signature healthcare law can stay as part of Congress’s power under a taxing clause.

In other words, the Supreme Court says that the government will be allowed to tax people for not having health insurance.

June 19, 2012

Walgreen Co. said it will pay $6.7 billion for a 45% stake in European health and beauty retailer Alliance Boots, which is based in Nottingham, England, with an option to buy the rest of the company in about three years.

New York -- Walgreen Co. said Tuesday it will pay $6.7 billion for a 45% stake in European health and beauty retailer Alliance Boots, which is based in Nottingham, England, with an option to buy the rest of the company in about three years. It is the first international venture and biggest deal ever for the U.S. chain.

March 1, 2012

In a month that was solid overall, the discount sector showed its muscle, turning in a strong February same-store sales performance nearly across the board.

New York City -- In a month that was solid overall, the discount sector showed its muscle, turning in a strong February same-store sales performance nearly across the board.

February 27, 2012

Edge Realty Partners has announced the launch of Edge Realty Capital Markets, which will focus on the investment sales of retail, multi-family and healthcare properties.

Dallas -- Edge Realty Partners has announced the launch of Edge Realty Capital Markets, which will focus on the investment sales of retail, multi-family and healthcare properties.

Brandon Beeson and Mart Martindale will lead Edge Capital Markets as principals. Steven Smith is also joining the firm as an executive VP.

Beeson previously was senior director with Berkadia where he focused on representing owners in sale of retail assets.   

February 2, 2012

The nation’s discount chains reported solid results for January, with Target Corp., TJX Cos., and Costco Wholesale Corp. all reporting gains above expectations.

New York City -- The nation’s discount chains reported solid results for January, with Target Corp., TJX Cos., and Costco Wholesale Corp. all reporting gains above expectations. Overall, discounters reported stronger results than department stores, which appeared to take a greater hit due to the unseasonably warm weather and heavy promotions.

As the first month of the year, January accounts for only 20% November-January sales, and 7% of annual sales, according to RetailMetrics.

January 16, 2012

Kronos Inc. said that Family Dollar is using its suite of workforce management solutions to control labor costs, minimize compliance risk, and improve productivity of more than 55,000 Family Dollar employees across 7,000 stores.

New York City -- Kronos Inc. said Monday that Family Dollar is using its suite of workforce management solutions to control labor costs, minimize compliance risk, and improve productivity of more than 55,000 Family Dollar employees across 7,000 stores.

November 9, 2011

According to a Request for Information released and reported by Kaiser Health News, Walmart is in the process of piecing together a comprehensive low-cost primary care healthcare platform.

Bentonville, Ark. -- According to a Request for Information released Tuesday and reported by Kaiser Health News, Walmart is in the process of piecing together a comprehensive low-cost primary care healthcare platform.

October 21, 2011

Wal-Mart Stores is cutting back healthcare coverage for new part-time workers and significantly raising premiums for many new full-time associates, the New York Times reported.

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores is cutting back healthcare coverage for new part-time workers and significantly raising premiums for many new full-time associates, the New York Times reported. It is a major turnaround for the retailer which, a few years back, under heavy criticism that many of its 1.4 million workers could not afford or did not qualify for coverage, expanded coverage for employees and their families. The move generated of flurry of positive publicity.

October 19, 2011

A majority of retail executives expect business to improve in the coming months, but they remain cautious when it comes to increasing staff levels, building inventory, and assessing the availability of credit — especially for their customers, according to a research study by CIT Group, a leading provider of financing to small businesses and middle market companies.

New York City -- A majority of retail executives expect business to improve in the coming months, but they remain cautious when it comes to increasing staff levels, building inventory, and assessing the availability of credit — especially for their customers, according to a research study by CIT Group, a leading provider of financing to small businesses and middle market companies. The study, prepared in association with Forbes Insights, surveyed more than 100 middle market retail executives.

September 29, 2011

As part of our in-depth coverage of mixed-use developments – see the October 2011 issue of Chain Store Age – we talked with Rob Wetherald, VP development for Peoria, Ill.-based Cullinan Properties, Ltd., owner and developer of the Streets of St. Charles mixed-use project in metro St. Louis, about how the format draws, and supports, retail.

How important are design and amenities to today’s mixed-use projects, especially with regard to the retail component?

September 26, 2011

Safeway announced that Dr. Kent Bradley has joined the company as chief medical officer, a newly created position focused on further enhancing and building Safeway's reputation as a healthcare innovator.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway announced that Dr. Kent Bradley has joined the company as chief medical officer, a newly created position focused on further enhancing and building Safeway's reputation as a healthcare innovator. He joins Safeway after a distinguished career in the U.S. Army, where he earned the rank of Colonel and served in a wide of range assignments.

March 30, 2011

By Chuck Densinger & Mason Thelen, IBM

By Chuck Densinger, chuck.densinger@us.ibm.com & Mason Thelen mason.thelen@us.ibm.com

Question: Which computer system can provide retailers with unprecedented insight into how to serve their customers better?

Answer:
Watson.

March 29, 2011

CVS Caremark Corp. announced Tuesday that it has promoted chief marketing officer Helena Foulkes to an expanded role as chief healthcare strategy and marketing officer.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark Corp. announced Tuesday that it has promoted chief marketing officer Helena Foulkes to an expanded role as chief healthcare strategy and marketing officer.

As chief marketing officer, Foulkes led the launch of CVS’s ExtraCare discount card and its Maintenance Choice program that allows Caremark beneficiaries to pick up 90-day prescriptions at CVS pharmacies or get them delivered through the mail.

February 25, 2011

Walgreen Co. said Friday that Hal F. Rosenbluth, president of the drug retailer’s health-and-wellness division, will retire in April. He will, however, stay on as a senior consultant to the CEO for healthcare services.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. said Friday that Hal F. Rosenbluth, president of the drug retailer’s health-and-wellness division, will retire in April. He will, however, stay on as a senior consultant to the CEO for healthcare services.

Rosenbluth was a co-founder of Take Care Health Systems, which was acquired by Walgreens in 2007.

December 15, 2010

Work 'N Gear on Wednesday announced that it has teamed with Sears and Kmart to launch America's first "store-within-a store" concept for healthcare fashions.

Quincy, Mass. -- Work 'N Gear on Wednesday announced that it has teamed with Sears and Kmart to launch America's first "store-within-a store" concept for healthcare fashions. The format has launched in select locations in six markets.

Called "Scrubology," the new in-store concept features approximately 600 sq. ft. to 1,500 sq. ft. of space within Sears and Kmart stores. The offerings will be dedicated to the uniform needs of professionals who work as doctors, nurses, veterinarians, lab technicians and more.

October 6, 2010

Target Corp. said its same-store sales rose 1.3% in September, missing Wall Street's expectations for...

August 3, 2010

Federal healthcare reform is now the law of the land, and the Federal agencies with...

By Alden J. Bianchi, ajbianchi@mintz.com

July 31, 2010

The federal agencies with principle jurisdiction over the new healthcare law as it affects employers—the...

May 31, 2010

Premiums represent a top-of-mind cost for every employer with regard to the new healthcare...