In Coventry, Conn.
From Robert Whitcomb’s “Digital Diary,’’ in GoLocal24.com
Woonsocket, R.I.-based CVS plans to close 10 percent of its stores. This may well be because of intensifying competition from Amazon, Walmart, etc., and the proliferation of cheap stores such as Dollar General that plan big expansions in offerings of health-related stuff. And the mail-order drug business will keep expanding.
Which stores will they close around here? I’ll bet they’ll be in poorer neighborhoods, with fewer well-insured people. CVS stores in affluent neighborhoods, such as Wayland Square, on Providence’s East Side, will survive.
Big and hugely profitable hospital chains such as Mass General Brigham are also acting to get more affluent, well-insured customer/patients by setting up mini hospitals in rich suburbs. That raises questions about what happens to the quality of care of patients in poor places as more resources are shifted to the suburban land of milk and honey.
