Worry over Healthcare Capacity

A new study by Accenture shows that retail clinics in pharmacies, stores and other retail locations can significantly help service the influx of the newly insured under the Affordable Healthcare Reform Act.  It is estimated that these facilities can service 10.8 million patients annually within the next 3 years. Once regarded as competition to clinics these facilities now add additional capacity and refer patients needing further care to clinics.  In the past, it seems, that many of these patients would seek the services of a hospital emergency room for treatment of minor ailments.  With the growth of retail clinics, more patients can be seen there, and the emergency rooms can focus on real emergencies and more complex cases.  The connection to commercial real estate? Perhaps a larger footprint for pharmacies and other retail outlets and maybe even some absorption for some vacant big box stores.