VEGAS INC Magazine - Latest Las Vegas business news, features and commentaries about gaming, tourism, real estate and more
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A P R I L 2 2 , 2 0 1 3 / Y O U R b u s i n e s s - t o - b u s i n e s s w e e k ly SPECIAL FOCUS HEALTH CARE This month, VEGAS INC highlights the medical community and the business of medicine. Despite awful finances, nevadans are shopping more STEVE MARCUS FAST MEDICINE: Gerry Eirkl of Henderson is examined by physician assistant Brian Ekberg at Southwest Medical Associates clinic in Wal-Mart at 300 E. Lake Mead Parkway in Henderson. Some patients visit health care providers at retail chains because getting an appointment at a traditional doctor's office can take weeks. Need health care? Head to a Wal-Mart or strip mall By Eli Segall S By Eli Segall staff writer The economy is slowly improving and Las Vegans are beginning to shake off the effects of the recession. They're buying more cars, clothes and other consumer goods. That sounds like a good thing. But Nevadans also have some of the worst personal finances in the country. And the local mini-spending boom is raising fears that people once again are taking on too much debt and returning to the bad habits of the boom era — buying stuff they can't afford. Consumer confidence is fueling the uptick. The economy is improving monthly, mass layoffs have all but stopped and many people feel their jobs are safe, even if their wages are flat. After several tight-fisted years, they are using savings and credit cards to finance new purchases, RCG Economics principal John Restrepo said. "It doesn't mean they're earning a lot more money. They're just more comfortable with spending," Restrepo said. see CONSUMER SPENDING, page 17 staff writer hoppers stroll through Wal-Mart on Lake Mead Parkway in Henderson filling their carts with food, alcohol, toilet paper, kitchenware and clothing. ¶ You can buy almost anything at the superstore — including health care. ¶ Just steps from the cash registers, patients can get treated for bronchitis, high blood pressure or depression. ¶ Retail health clinics have spread around the Las Vegas Valley in recent years in chain stores and strip malls. They include both drop-in clinics at pharmacies and big box retailers, as well as urgent care offices. see RETAIL HEALTH, page 14 Making sure it's secure.™ DOCUMENT & HARD DRIVE DESTRUCTION 20130422_VI01_F.indd 1 INSIDE TODAY MOTTO MISSTEP? | P. 6 Expert says new state tagline sends the wrong message to businesses GOODBYE, COAL | P. 7 NV Energy will replace its coal plants, but at what cost to consumers? THE LIST | P. 22 Available commercial space 702-25 SHRED 702-257-4733 www.shredit.com/LasVegas 4/18/13 2:07:15 PM