Clinics

The closure of Diagnostic Clinic Medical Group highlights the growing shortages of care options for Florida residents. The closures will impact an estimated 30,000 patients, an insurance provider says.

The retail giant on April 30 cited an unsustainable business model when it announced it would close its 51 Walmart Health locations in five states. That included 23 stores in Florida.

The new rules cover documentation and clarify that it will not "constitute an abortion” to induce live births and babies die because of prematurely ruptured membranes, or for treating ectopic pregnancies and trophoblastic tumors.

In addition to the clinics, the company is taking down its virtual health service after concluding “there is not a sustainable business model for us to continue.”

Even in states where laws protect minors’ access to gender-affirming care, malpractice insurance premiums are keeping small and independent clinics from treating patients.

Walgreens Boots Alliance will close about 9% of their VillageMD clinics and trim $600 million in capital spending as part of broader plan to improve financial performance.

A chain is using its knowledge of how to serve customers and locate shops to enter the health care industry. Experts question how the explosion of convenient clinics will affect care costs and wait times.

The many options — particularly urgent care and free-standing ERs — can make the head spin. The wrong choice can mean big bills and even poor outcomes. Facilities have little incentive to clear up the confusion.

The federal government made 485 payouts, totaling $410 million, in malpractice cases involving community health centers nationwide from 2018 through 2021. Search this chart to find how much was paid out for each local clinic.

Should doctors warn patients of a policy threat that may not come to pass? That's the question pending, as the Trump administration weighs whether to deny green cards to immigrants on Medicaid.