Current Events in August 2022

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling 75,316 model year 2022-2023 Tacoma pickup trucks.

One or more of the individual welds in the upper child seat anchors may be insufficient.

An insufficient weld may prevent the child seat from being anchored properly, allowing it to move during a sudden stop or crash and increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on September 2, 2022.

Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at (800) 331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TB09/ 22TA09.

The White House has made another aggressive move toward circling the wagons in favor of chip-dependent manufacturers. On Tuesday, the CHIPS and Science Act – a bill directed at fostering American chip manufacturing – finally made it to President Biden’s desk for his signature.

The new legislation is designed to end U.S. dependence on foreign chip manufacturers by investing $200 billion in the development of that sector over the next five years. Lawmakers hope that action will help prevent consumers from paying higher prices for electronics and vehicles in the future.

Biden said the new law will also strengthen American supply chains and national security, increase the nation’s investment in research and development, and build the workforce of the future by creating tens of thousands of “good-paying" jobs.

Two companies have already signed up to spur the new Act’s potential. Micron, an Idaho-based chip manufacturer, said it will make a $40 billion investment, one that will bring the U.S. market share of memory chip production from less than 2% to up to 10% over the next decade. Qualcomm and GlobalFoundries are also partnering on a $4.2 billion investment that should increase semiconductor production in the U.S. by as much as 50% over the next five years.

Putting Asia on notice

President Biden stated that the bill should help the U.S. be a more competitive player in the chip manufacturing industry, which has been dominated by companies in East Asia. He noted that East Asia accounts for 75% of global chip production. 

“Semiconductors were invented in America, and U.S. companies still lead the world in chip technology today, but as a result of substantial government investments from global competitors, the U.S today accounts for only 12 percent of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity,” said Keith Jackson, President, CEO, and Director of ON Semiconductor.

“The CHIPS for America Act would help our country rise to this challenge, invest in semiconductor manufacturing and research, and remain the world leader in chip technology, which is strategically important to our economy and national security.”

College students are packing up to head back to school for the fall semester, and scammers can’t wait. They have a number of schemes planned to steal students’ money and personal information.

The first that we'll mention is an “imposter scam” that's designed specifically for college students. The scheme begins when students receive an email or text that is allegedly from the school’s “Financial Department.” The message doesn’t mention the name of the school, and the URL doesn’t correspond with the college’s web domain. Those are two red flags that should tip off recipients that the message is fake.

According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), this scam asks recipients to click on a link and log in with their user name and password. If they comply, the scammer steals their login information and may also download some malware at the same time.

Fake credit card offers

College freshmen may be bombarded with credit card offers. The vast majority are from legitimate lenders, but scammers have gotten into that game and are sending out phony credit card offers. A student applying for one of these phony offers will be asked to provide a huge amount of personal information, including a Social Security number.

Instead of responding to an unsolicited offer, students are better off researching the best card for their needs and applying to the lender directly. A good place to do some research is the ConsumerAffairs guide to the “Best Credit Cards.”

Targeting apartment seekers

Students who plan to live off campus may still be searching for an apartment. Scammers have a scheme for them as well.

Criminals have been known to place ads on platforms like Craigslist to advertise a nice apartment that's close to campus at a very affordable monthly rent. Eager students who apply will be asked to hand over a lot of personal information before they can see the unit.

The apartment, of course, doesn’t exist; the pictures were downloaded from the internet. When the student asks to see the apartment, the scammer has disappeared with their credit card number and other personal information.

Scholarship and grant scams

Students also have to be wary of scholarship and grant scams. A malicious telemarketer may offer help when it comes to reducing student loan payments, or they may guarantee that a student will receive a large grant. It’s easy for cash-strapped students to be tricked into taking the bait.

“Searching the company’s name online could bring up scam alerts or negative reviews from other consumers,” the BBB said. “Read reviews and complaints about the company at BBB.org and contact the school’s financial aid office for advice and help regarding financing your education. Scholarship scams can affect college students even after graduation.”

Students go to college to learn. Spending a little time learning about scams may help avoid painful lessons that would otherwise be learned the hard way.

Anyone who has ever looked for a health insurance provider knows that it’s anything but easy. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says some unprincipled companies may be feasting on that confusion by trying to convince consumers that they have an easy, clear-cut answer.

Officials say they have discovered a trick used by one insurer that involves deliberately misleading consumers into signing up for insurance or health products that don't deliver. To make matters worse, canceling those products and services was very difficult once a victim became ensnared. 

On Monday, the FTC announced that its investigation into Benefytt Technologies Inc. has resulted in $100 million in refunds for consumers who were tricked into sham health plans. Officials say the company also charged exorbitant junk fees that continued to plague victims after they requested cancellation. 

“Benefytt pocketed millions selling sham insurance to seniors and other consumers looking for health coverage,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “And we’re holding its executives accountable for this fraud.”

A valid cancellation policy is a must

The FTC says consumers need to beware of companies that conduct these kinds of schemes. It suggests taking the following steps to avoid becoming a victim:

Compare plans, coverage, and prices at a trusted source. Instead of doing a simple internet search, the FTC says consumers should go to something more objective and comprehensive. It suggests HealthCare.gov and state marketplaces as the first stop for information about comprehensive, ACA-compliant health insurance coverage.

Ask for info in writing. Is the plan really comprehensive health insurance? Before signing on the dotted line, ask these three questions: Does it offer the coverage you need? What’s the total cost? Are there caps or limitations to coverage?

Research any company offering health coverage or products. If a consumer finds an insurance provider that has an interesting pitch, take the time to search online for the name of that company plus “complaint,” “scam,” or “fraud.” Read reviews and see what others have to say. Check with your state insurance commissioner’s office to find out if there are complaints. 

Consumers can check out reviews on sites like ConsumerAffairs and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to read specific reviews about companies. ConsumerAffairs also has an overview of health insurance companies for consumers who want to learn more.

As inflation rose in the second quarter, so did consumer debt. The New York Federal Reserve reports that total household debt rose by $312 billion, or 2%, to reach $16.15 trillion.

That number includes mortgages, which increased by $207 billion and stood at $11.39 trillion as of June 30. More concerning was the growth in credit card debt.

The Fed’s report shows that balances recorded their biggest year-over-year percentage increase in more than twenty years. With inflation increasing each month, consumers may have been spending more but not getting as much for their money. For example, the average price of gasoline hit a record high of $5.01 a gallon during the second quarter.

So far, consumers appear to be able to handle the increase in debt. The Fed report shows that transitions into delinquency ticked up but remained very low when compared to historical levels.

Renters facing hardships

While some consumers aren't feeling the impact of rising debt, a report from Bank of America suggests consumers who rent their homes are facing rising economic pressure -- not just from inflation but also from a sharp increase in the average rent. Bank of America's internal data suggests that median rent payments increased by 7.4% year-over-year in July. 

According to internal Bank of America data, all income groups are feeling the impact of higher rents. The biggest increase in rent was among households with income between $51,000-150,000.

Younger consumers appear to be getting squeezed the most by higher rent inflation. The median payment was up 16% year-over-year in July for Gen Z. That compares to just 3% for baby boomers.

Reasons for optimism

The study’s authors say there are some reasons to remain positive about consumers’ ability to deal with inflation. They point out that gas prices declined in July and are still lower this month. At the same time, households are still socking cash away in savings accounts, with the savings rate still high and borrowing at normal levels.

Like the report from the New York Fed, Bank of America noted that credit card spending per household increased by 5.3% year-over-year but was down from 5.7% in June.  

“With U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation at 9.1% in June and Personal Consumer Expenditure (PCE) inflation at 6.8%, it appears ‘real (inflation-adjusted) spending’ continues to be under pressure,” the authors wrote.

Even though gas prices have fallen over the last few weeks, they remain historically high. This is causing car shoppers to make fuel economy more of a priority. SUVs aren’t really known for fuel economy, but those powered by a hybrid engine get jaw-dropping miles per gallon (MPG).

Automotive publisher Edmunds.com has ranked the 2022 SUVs with the best MPG, and the Ford Escape Hybrid came out on top with a combined city/highway 41 MPG. With a starting price of $28,030, the Escape is also the least expensive of the high-mileage SUVs.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid impressed the experts at Edmunds with its combined 40 MPG rating. It also has a consumer-friendly sticker price, starting at $29,075.

The 2022 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid also clocks in at a combined 40 MPG. When pure battery power is factored into the equation, it gets the equivalent of 105 MPG. This vehicle, like some others that make the list, has the advantage of being able to charge the battery by plugging it into a power source instead of just relying on gasoline. However, it’s a bit pricier than its hybrid cousin, starting at $33,075.

Honda CR-V Hybrid boosts MPG over the gas-powered model

The Honda CRV Hybrid doesn’t quite hit 40 MPG, but it comes close. “Honda took one of our favorite SUVs on sale today and upped the efficiency with the CR-V Hybrid,” the Edmunds editors said. 

The EPA estimates that the CR-V Hybrid will get 38 combined MPG, while the standard CR-V gets 29 MPG. Prices start at $31,610.

The sticker price rises significantly when you buy the next SUV on the list, the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid. Like the Escape plug-in, it gives owners a full-electric option. But unlike the Ford plug-in, the starting price is just under $40,000. It provides a combined 38 MPG and the equivalent of 94 MPG.

The Hyundai Tucson also comes as a plug-in hybrid, delivering a combined 38 MPG and the equivalent of 80 MPG. A fully-charged battery provides 33 miles of range and a 261 horsepower engine that gets you the rest of the way. The price starts at $34,900.

Rounding out the list is the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid. It’s one of the smaller crossover SUVs and may be closer to a hatchback. It gets 35 MPG, or the equivalent of 90 MPG. Prices start at $35,845.

A new study conducted by researchers from the American Cancer Society pinpointed two major risk factors for consumers when it comes to developing any kind of cancer: older age and smoking status. 

“Single cancer type-specific screening recommendations are based on risk factors for that specific type of cancer,” said researcher Dr. Alpa Patel. “Our findings are encouraging as we are working to define subgroups in the general population who could benefit from enhanced cancer screening and prevention.” 

Identifying those at the highest risk of cancer

The researchers analyzed data from nearly 430,000 participants enrolled in two studies – the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort and the Cancer Prevention Study-3. They followed the participants over the course of five years, and none of them had a previous history of cancer. 

While several factors were taken into consideration, two came out as the biggest risks for developing any kind of cancer: older age and smoking status. The risk of developing cancer of any kind was higher for any current or former smokers (within 30 years of quitting) and participants over the age of 50; the risk was 25% higher for women and nearly 30% higher for men. 

The researchers also noted some risk factors that were specific to gender. For women, having a hysterectomy or tubal ligation, a high body mass index (BMI), high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes all increase the risk of cancer. For men, red meat consumption and alcohol intake proved to be dangerous to long-term health outcomes. A family history of cancer and a lack of physical activity were likely to increase the risk of cancer among both men and women. 

The researchers hope their findings will help health care providers better identify those who may need preventative cancer care. 

“As we consider the possibility that future tests may be able to identify several types of cancer, we need to begin understanding who is most at risk for developing any type of cancer,” Dr. Patel said. “These types of data are not widely available, but necessary to inform future screening options, such as blood-based multi-cancer early detection tests that could help save lives.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from Duke-NUS explored the health benefits of B vitamins. According to their findings, vitamin B12 and folic acid may be used in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and slow the progression of the disease.

The researchers explained that the treatment may help prevent non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a severe form of liver disease where scar tissue and inflammation occur. 

“Our findings are both exciting and important because they suggest that a relatively inexpensive therapy, vitamin B12 and folic acid, could be used to prevent and/or delay the progression of NASH,” said researcher Dr. Brijesh Singh. “Additionally, serum and hepatic homocysteine levels could serve as biomarkers for NASH severity.” 

Improving liver health

The researchers started their work by examining the role that homocysteine, an amino acid, plays in liver disease. Earlier studies have linked higher levels of it to the development of NASH. This study assessed the interaction between homocysteine and liver function in preclinical trials. 

While the team was able to confirm that elevated homocysteine levels can impede consumers’ liver function, they also found that increasing consumers' intake of both vitamin B and folic acid promoted better liver health. 

The researchers found that taking supplements for both vitamins restored key liver functions. Not only did it slow the progression of liver disease and the development of NASH, but it also increased levels of syntaxin 17, which is an important protein in the liver. With higher syntaxin 17 levels, the liver was able to remove toxins and produce healthier cells. High levels of each vitamin were also linked with a lower risk of fibrosis and liver inflammation. 

“While fat deposition in the liver is reversible in its early stages, its progression to NASH causes liver dysfunction, cirrhosis, and increases the risk for liver cancer,” Dr. Madhulika Tripathi. 

While there are currently no treatments available for patients with NASH, the researchers hope their findings highlight the benefits of increasing vitamin B and folic acid levels. 

“Currently, the only treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease is to receive a transplant,” said researcher Patrick Casey. “The findings by Dr. Tripathi and her colleagues demonstrate that a simple, affordable, and accessible intervention could potentially half or reverse the damage to the liver, bringing new hope to those suffering from fatty liver diseases. The team’s findings underscore the value of basic scientific research, through which the scientific community continues to have a major positive impact on the lives of patients.” 

Southeast Toyota Distributors (SET) is recalling 280 model year 2020-2022 4Runner vehicles equipped with 20-inch Black Gunner Wheels.

The load carrying capacity modification labels are incorrect.

An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

SET will mail replacement labels to owners free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on September 4, 2022.

Owners may contact SET's customer service at (954) 429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET22A.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is issuing a new warning about malicious text messages that are being sent by scammers who are impersonating large companies and organizations like the U.S. Post Office (USPS), Costco, and Home Depot. The agency says the details of the scams may vary, but the main goal is always to steal money or personal information from consumers. 

In one variation of the scam, the FTC says scammers send a message to a victim while pretending to represent the USPS and ask them to confirm their debit card details so they can receive an undelivered package. In another variation, a scammer might send a message to a consumer and say they have a chance to win a free gift card or power tool. All they have to do to claim their reward is click on a link, answer some questions, and pay for shipping. 

Unfortunately, any victim who clicks on a link from one of these text messages has given away vital information that can allow a criminal to infiltrate their accounts or steal their identity. Consumers who are put in that situation are automatically put into full recovery mode and will most likely have to reset their PINs, get a new credit card, resolve all kinds of unauthorized charges, and secure their personal information.

Don’t fall for it

The FTC says consumers should keep the following points in mind to protect themselves from these types of scams:

Don’t click on links or respond to unexpected texts — including messages asking you to fill out a survey to get a free item. “If you think it could be legit, contact the company using a website or phone number you know is real...Don't use the information in the text message,” said FTC official Gema de las Heras.

Don’t pay to get a package redelivered. The “real” USPS doesn’t contact people out of the blue about a delivery unless they submitted a request first and gave a tracking number. The agency will also never demand payment to redeliver a package.

Twitter has confirmed that 5.4 million accounts were plundered in a recent data breach, with the hackers hauling away personal data such as physical locations, profile photos, email addresses, and phone numbers associated with those account profiles. 

The hackers are already trying to make money off their theft. Bleeping Computer reports that the data the hackers tapped into is being offered for close to $30,000. Two different threat actors reportedly purchased the data for less than the original selling price, and all that information will likely be released for free in the future.

The attack came about as the result of a zero-day exploit – a maneuver in which hackers target a software vulnerability that software vendors or antivirus vendors are not aware of at launch. AndroidPolice reports that the Twitter hackers used a vulnerability that allowed anyone to query a phone number or email to check on an active Twitter account and then obtain the account information. 

Twitter responds

When it comes to zero-day exploits, Twitter is not alone. Over the last few years, Google, Apple, and Microsoft have all been hit by them. After being fined $150 million for failing to protect consumer data already this year, Twitter is trying its best to get ahead of this situation. The company said it deeply regrets the situation and fully understands the risk this poses to its users.

While the social media company is powerless to fix this current situation, it does have some recommendations that users can use to protect their personal data in the future. The first thing it suggests is making sure a Twitter account does not have a publicly known phone number or email address attached to it.

Even though passwords weren’t stolen, Twitter also strongly suggests enabling two-factor authentication by using authentication apps or hardware security keys. This can help protect a user's account if someone does steal their password.

The company says it’s also offering users access to its Office of Data Protection, where they can inquire about the safety of their account or ask questions about how it protects their personal information. Anyone who is interested in gaining access to that information can contact Twitter through this form.

People who are shopping for homes are finally seeing lower prices. In market after market, real estate agents report that sellers are beginning to cut their list price if they haven’t received an offer after a few weeks.

As buyers disappeared in June in the face of record-high prices and rising mortgage rates, the market cooled considerably. Instead of selling in a few hours, homes in many neighborhoods have lingered on the market for weeks.

In a normal housing market, taking a few weeks (or even a month or two) to receive an offer is not unusual. But over the last two years, when millions of people who had been renting suddenly decided to buy a home, the market has been anything but normal. Rock-bottom mortgage rates helped to fuel the home-buying frenzy.

Throughout 2021, there were reports of bidding wars driving up asking prices by tens of thousands of dollars. Buyers were signing contracts on properties without an in-person visit and waiving contingencies. Real estate professionals say those days are now over.

June was the turning point

Bloomberg reports that the market began to quickly change in June, when the sale of existing homes fell for a fifth straight month, declining 5.4%. With fewer buyers, sellers began to cut prices, especially in the previously red-hot markets of Las Vegas, Denver, Austin, Nashville, Tampa, and Sacramento. The trend likely picked up speed in July.

“The market we have now is similar to the market at the beginning of the pandemic because that market created uncertainty and, for many, anxiety,” Kathleen Murphy, associate broker at Boston’s Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, told ConsumerAffairs. “The difference is consumers are uncertain about the increasing mortgage rates and out-of-control inflation and less about vaccine availability and hospitalization.

Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at Redfin, told the Wall Street Journal that she advises sellers to embrace the new housing market reality and price their homes conservatively from the start. If there are no offers after two weeks on the market, she advises sellers to reduce the price again by 8% or 10%.

Increasing inventory could push prices down even more

Many real estate experts say homeowners who have not put their homes on the market yet have missed the top of the market as far as prices are concerned. The Biden administration recently took steps to put even more downward pressure on home prices by increasing inventory. 

The Treasury Department is allowing local governments to deploy $350 million in unspent American Rescue Plan funds to develop and repair affordable housing units to get them into the nation’s housing inventory.

"Any effort to add supply will help alleviate a historic shortage in affordable housing,” said Leslie Rouda Smith, president of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). “NAR commissioned a landmark research report last year showing a lack of 5.5 million homes in the U.S.—a gap so large it would take more than a decade to dig out of, even with accelerated new construction.  It is nothing short of an affordability crisis hurting first-time, first-generation, and middle-income Americans the most.”

Smith said the NAR supports “comprehensive action” that encourages investment in new construction, zoning reforms, expansion of financing, and tax incentives to spur investment in housing and convert unused commercial space to residential – all of which would increase the number of available homes and bring down prices.

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of South Australia explored the link between vitamin D and inflammation. According to their findings, consumers who have low levels of vitamin D may have a higher risk of developing chronic inflammation; the latter may increase consumers' risk for other serious medical conditions. 

“Inflammation is your body’s way of protecting your tissues if you’ve been injured or have an infection,” said researcher Dr. Ang Zhou. “High levels of C-reactive protein are generated by the liver response to inflammation, so when your body is experiencing chronic inflammation, it also shows higher levels of C-reactive protein. 

“This study examined vitamin D and C-reactive proteins and found a one-way relationship between low levels of vitamin D and high levels of C-reactive protein, expressed as inflammation. Boosting vitamin D in people with deficiencies may reduce chronic inflammation, helping them avoid a number of diseases.”

Preventing long-term health risks

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 250,000 people enrolled in the U.K. Biobank dataset. The team looked closely at the participants’ vitamin D and protein levels before tracking their long-term health outcomes. 

It was clear to the researchers that there was a link between low vitamin D levels and a higher risk of chronic inflammation. Participants who had the lowest vitamin D levels had the highest risk of chronic inflammation. When this persists, consumers also have an elevated risk of developing several other medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, autoimmune conditions, and heart disease. 

On the other hand, the researchers speculate that healthy levels of vitamin D can be beneficial for consumers who struggle with inflammatory conditions. Based on their findings, they have reason to believe that consumers with obesity, diabetes, heart disease, or autoimmune diseases may have fewer complications when they maintain healthy vitamin D levels. 

“We have repeatedly seen evidence for health benefits for increasing vitamin D concentrations in individuals with very low levels, while for others, there appears to be little to no benefit,” said researcher Elina Hyppönen. “These findings highlight the importance of avoiding clinical vitamin D deficiency, and provide further evidence for the wide-ranging effects of hormonal vitamin D.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Swansea explored how studying well-being can benefit college students. According to their findings, learning about improving well-being can help students better cope with stress and improve their mental health. 

“The well-being of university students is deteriorating, highlighting a critical role for institutions to better support student well-being,” said researcher Andrew Kemp. 

Long-term well-being benefits

The researchers had nearly 130 college students involved in the study. First, the students completed questionnaires about their overall well-being and mental health. Then, one group of students completed a module that the researchers created that was geared towards the well-being of the students and their interactions with others and the planet. Lastly, all of the participants came together in the end to once again complete the well-being and mental health questionnaires. 

The study showed that the module on well-being was effective for the students, as their questionnaires at the end of the study showed marked improvements in general wellness and mental health when compared to students who didn’t complete the module. 

The researchers explained that college students are a vulnerable population when it comes to mental health and well-being. It’s important for them to have resources to work on improving these areas, rather than depleting them. Over time, these resources can help prevent future mental and physical health concerns, as well as provide them with resilience to get through stressors in college and beyond. 

Based on these findings, the researchers hope universities across the country dedicate more resources to teaching students about improving their well-being. 

“Our study was conducted during the COVID pandemic and demonstrates the capacity of strategically designed modules to improve student well-being during challenging times,” Kemp said. “These findings have important implications for thinking about how the education sector might support well-being alongside other major societal stressors, such as the climate catastrophe.” 

Chrysler is recalling 52,340 model year 2022 Dodge Challengers, Dodge Chargers, and Chrysler 300s.

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor battery may fail prematurely and cause the sensor to become inoperative.

Inoperative TPMS sensors will not alert the driver to low tire pressure. In addition, a TPMS warning light that is already illuminated from a failed battery sensor will mask an actual tire pressure failure issue.

Either of these situations can result in tire failure and increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and replace the TPMS sensors -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on September 2, 2022.

Owners may contact Chrysler at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z68.

CVS, which added the word “Health” to its corporate name a few years ago, has announced plans to move even more deeply into the health care field.

Company CEO Karen Lynch, addressing reporters and analysts on the company’s second-quarter earnings call, said CVS Health plans to provide primary health care services by merging with or acquiring a provider. With that move, the company has telegraphed its intentions to compete with Amazon and Walgreens – two companies that are already moving in that direction. 

In addition to its retail drug stores throughout the U.S., CVS Health operates MiniuteClinics inside some of its stores, where customers can get a vaccination or urgent care. The company also owns Aetna, a major health insurance provider.

The addition of primary care services would greatly expand the company’s health care footprint. It would offer doctor offices that could provide annual checkups, as well as treat acute symptoms or injuries. 

Making health services more accessible

Company executives have said such an expansion would bring health care services to many people who have no doctor or who are underserved. It would also provide services during off hours and weekends when private practice doctor offices are closed.

Rather than build from scratch, company officials have said the best strategy would be to acquire an entity that is already providing those services. 

Walgreens and Amazon have already moved into the primary care space, with the former opening hundreds of primary care offices in partnership with VillageMD. Amazon announced in July that it is buying One Medical, a chain of primary health care offices, for nearly $4 billion. One Medical has 188 locations in 25 markets.

Aetna expands offerings in California

Meanwhile, CVS Health has announced that Aetna is entering the individual insurance exchange marketplace in California with its Aetna CVS Health co-branded insurance product. The company says those plans will provide affordable access to health care for more Californians.

"With millions of Americans being uninsured or underinsured, our plans provide quality care, at an affordable price and the ability to conveniently access this care using virtual technology and in-person care in their communities," said Dr. Kyu Rhee, chief medical officer at Aetna. "By bridging the gap between people and the support and services they need, we can offer a human-centered approach where, when, and how they need us."

As these plans roll out, CVS Health says policyholders will have access to Aetna's expansive network of primary care doctors, mental health providers, specialists, and hospitals.