Retail medical clinics in stores such as CVS and Walgreens can be a
cheaper and more convenient option for patients seeking relief from minor
ailments. But just how these clinics fit in to the country’s health care
system, and how much they fragment an already disjointed system, is
being debated by primary care physicians and retail clinic
representatives.
The clinics accept patients on a walk-in basis,
are open on nights and weekends, and accept most insurance plans. But
the clinics do not have actual doctors on staff; instead, nurse
practitioners and physician assistants attend to the patients. Retail
clinics offer treatment for common illnesses, vaccinations, and
monitoring of chronic conditions.
According to Walgreens spokesman
Jim Cohn, there are more than 360 Walgreens Take Care Clinics across 19
states. Cohn told Progress Illinois that retail clinics are the next
logical step in the evolution of health care, and provide cost relief to
a health care system that is already overtaxed.
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Andy Kang noticed the funny looks.
Public frustrations over how Illinois’ elected leaders are addressing
the state’s most pressing issues was shown in full display over the
weekend as an informal meet-and-greet over coffee quickly led to some
contentious moments between lawmakers and constituents.
Four people were arrested Sunday in the ongoing battle for a trauma center on Chicago's South Side. When 50 people entered the University of Chicago's new hospital building stating that they were protesting the lack of a trauma center, university police quickly began manhandling the protesters and pushing them out with their batons, 
President Barack Obama kicked off his second term today with a speech that covered a plethora of progressive issues, including same-sex marriage, preserving the middle class, sustainable energy and climate change.