Fort Worth’s Anguish as Walmart Closes Health Clinics
TL/DR –
Walmart has announced it will be closing down its healthcare division, Walmart Health, due to it not being a sustainable business model for the company. This involves shutting down virtual care options and 51 health centers across five states, including three scheduled to open in Fort Worth, Texas this year. The decision comes in the face of a challenging reimbursement environment and escalating operational costs, which made the care business unsustainable for Walmart.
Raquel Portillo’s reaction to Walmart’s health clinics shutdown
Raquel Portillo, co-founder of Mental Health Advocacy Partners, expressed disappointment when she learned about Walmart’s decision to shut down its health clinics, including three that were set to open in Fort Worth. “Walmart is located in neighborhoods where they would be able to serve the typical resident. It would have been great for people to find a provider that’s just down the street,” she stated.
Why is Walmart closing its health clinics?
Walmart announced that its health care division was not sustainable due to increasing operating costs and challenging reimbursement environment, as per a statement released on April 30. The healthcare model didn’t prove profitable for the company, which led to this decision.
Walmart’s journey into healthcare
Walmart ventured into healthcare in 2019, opening over 50 clinics inside Supercenters in five states, with a goal of becoming a leader in promoting better community health outcomes. These clinics offered primary care, dental, behavioral health, labs, and telehealth services.
The future of Walmart’s health clinics
Walmart will be closing all its health clinics over the next 45 to 60 days affecting several hundred jobs. However, Walmart’s in-house pharmacies and vision centers will remain untouched by the closures. Impacted employees will be eligible to transfer to other Walmart or Sam’s Club locations and will be paid for 90 days from April 30.
Impact on the community
Celia Brannon, co-founder of Mental Health Advocacy Partners, emphasized her concern for the residents in the 76105 ZIP code that already has limited access to resources. The area has one of the lowest life expectancy rates in Tarrant County, according to a 2022 Community Health Assessment from Tarrant County Public Health. “Walmart was going to fill a really big gap that needed to be taken care of. Who’s going to take care of these people?” she asked.
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