Walmart’s MeMD Sale Is Another Retail Healthcare Failure
HealthLeaders Media
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Summary
Walmart has sold its MeMD virtual care platform to Fabric, a telehealth startup, marking another withdrawal of a major retailer from the primary care space. This follows attempts by Walgreens, CVS Health, Rite Aid, and Amazon to enter and sustain profitability within the healthcare sector. Despite the promise of consumer-facing retail strategies to enhance the healthcare experience, companies have struggled to find a sustainable model. Fabric, supported by healthcare partners and significant funding, aims to expand its virtual care offerings, particularly in behavioral health services. The sale underscores the challenges and complexities of successfully integrating retail and healthcare models.