Submitted by CARPE DIEM

BALTIMORE–MedStar Health is tapping into the retail health care trend. The Columbia health care company said Tuesday it is partnering with Rite Aid and a health clinic management firm to open four walk-in clinics providing treatment for flu, strep throat, injuries and other common ailments. The clinics — two in Greater Baltimore and two in the Washington, D.C., area — will be located inside Rite Aid stores sporting a MedStar PromptCare brand and will be staffed by physicians.

Small health clinics like these are cropping up at CVS, Walgreens, Target, Wal-Mart, Kroger and other retail stores throughout the country. At the end of 2006, there were about 250 retail store health clinics in the U.S., according to the Convenient Care Association. Now, more than 900 such clinics are operated by more than 20 companies in 30 states — including 32 retail health clinics in Maryland.

Comment: While politicians in Washington and presidential candidates dream up the next grandiose government health care reform to address rising healthcare costs, the most effective, affordable and convenient healthcare solutions might be right around the corner at your local Rite-Aid, Target or Wal-Mart.

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