• From Bloomberg:
"Walmart Inc. is exploring buying a majority stake in ChenMed, a closely held operator of primary care clinics for seniors, according to people familiar with the matter.
"The companies are in talks for a deal that would value ChenMed at several billion dollars, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. A deal could still be weeks away, the people said.
"Terms aren’t finalized and talks could still fall apart, the people said. It’s also possible a different potential buyer could emerge." However, the story notes, "Buying ChenMed would represent Walmart’s biggest foray yet into health care. In 2021, it acquired telehealth provider MeMD and started offering low-cost insulin. Last year, it partnered with UnitedHealth Group Inc. to care for Medicare patients at Walmart Health centers. The company is also building a network of health centers that offer primary care, labs, X-rays and counseling."
Bloomberg writes that "a deal would come as pharmacy chains, insurers and retailers have been moving deeper into the business of taking care of patients, positioning themselves as entry points to the $4 trillion health-care system. Providing health care is also a way for retailers to get closer to consumers as e-commerce chips away at their traditional business."
