CVS

CVS Health CEO Karen Lynch says the deal will increase her company's connection to consumers in their homes.

CVS had for years granted the woman a religious accommodation that allowed her to opt out of prescribing or providing abortion-inducing drugs and certain contraceptives without incident.

The policy started the first week in July in Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Texas. CVS is asking care providers to help by including a diagnosis on the prescription.

The settlements left Walgreens as the sole defendant in a lawsuit that targeted businesses involved in all aspects of the opioid industry. A Pasco County judge is scheduled to begin jury selection next week.

The verdict in federal court comes as three of the country's largest pharmacy chains face thousands of lawsuits filed by communities across the U.S. The companies say they did nothing wrong dispensing huge quantities of opioids.

The closures will begin in the spring of 2022, according to the company.

Most of the available positions are for licensed pharmacists, trained pharmacy technicians and nurses at CVS Pharmacy locations

According to Cathy Bedy, a licensed clinical social worker at a CVS in Seminole, telehealth can provide services within 24 hours of the request. It's valuable time saved when people are reaching out for help.

The announcement comes as the pace of vaccinations begins to lag nationally, and several states have created lottery prizes to entice residents to get shots.

The sweepstakes launches June 1 with weekly drawings and more than 1,000 potential prizes for customers who get COVID shots through CVS or register for them.