Walgreens plans 27 new health clinics in Texas by end of year

Walgreens will be offering chronic and preventive health services at 13 new pharmacy locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by the end of this year. The company opened one new clinic at the end of July and plans 12 more Healthcare Clinics in the Dallas Metropolitan area, according to a company statement.

“Our expansion into Dallas-Fort Worth reflects our continued effort to enhance access to high-quality, affordable care and wellbeing services in our communities,” said Suzanne Hansen, Walgreens group vice president for Healthcare Clinic. “There is an ever-increasing demand for health care resources in today’s environment.”

Medicaid expansion moves forward in half the country

This is especially true in Texas because it was one of the states that decided to opt out of Medicaid expansion and the Health Insurance Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act, leaving 2.8 million Texas residents without health insurance, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“If Texas were to implement Medicaid expansion, 92 percent of all eligible uninsured Texans-or 4.5 million people-might qualify for premium tax credits, Medicaid, or CHIP [Children’s Health Insurance Program],” according to a HHS brief.

A Houston presence

Walgreens’ Healthcare Clinics are also present in the Houston area and the company plans to open another 14 clinics this year, bringing the number to 29 in that region. By the end of 2014 there will be more than 400 Walgreens’ clinics throughout the United States.

Their clinics accept most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. For individuals without insurance coverage, Walgreens offers affordable patient care, the company noted.