Got $500? 3 Dividend-Paying Healthcare Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever

Group 1 - The core focus for dividend investors is not only high yield but also the reliability of that yield over the long term, which is challenging to find [1] - The healthcare sector presents solid options for dividend-paying stocks, including Bristol Myers Squibb, Medtronic, and Johnson & Johnson, with yields up to 4.6% [1][4] - Economic factors such as inflation can erode the purchasing power of dividend income, making it essential to choose companies with growth potential and a history of dividend increases [2] Group 2 - The healthcare industry is driven by innovation and population growth, with rising socio-economic conditions leading to increased demand for medical products [3] - Bristol Myers Squibb has a dividend yield of 4.6% but faces challenges due to patent expirations on blockbuster drugs, which raises concerns among investors [7] - Medtronic is approaching Dividend King status, while Johnson & Johnson has a strong track record with over 50 annual dividend increases [7]