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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Wal-Mart Backs Plan to Make Employers Provide Coverage

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(Newser) – President Obama has a big new supporter in his push for health-care reform: Wal-Mart. The nation's largest private employer reversed course today and told the White House it supports the idea of requiring large employers to provide health insurance to workers. Most large corporations, along with the US Chamber of Commerce, oppose an employer mandate as too costly. Wal-Mart's shift could give Obama momentum on one of the most controversial aspects of his reform plans, reports the Wall Street Journal.

The National Retail Federation, the main lobbying group for the industry, declared itself "flabbergasted" by Wal-Mart's letter to the president, which also was signed by a prominent union and a liberal think tank. Wal-Mart already provides insurance to its employees and doesn't want to give an advantage to companies that don't, notes the Journal. The company may be trying to head off an alternative that could be even tougher on employers of low-income workers.

Wal-Mart backs the idea of employer-mandated coverage.
Wal-Mart backs the idea of employer-mandated coverage.   (AP Photo/Lisa Poole, file)
Wal-Mart backs the idea of employer-mandated coverage.
Wal-Mart backs the idea of employer-mandated coverage.   (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
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As a company, we believe the present health-care system is unsustainable and making the country's businesses less competitive in the global economy. - Leslie Dach, Wal-Mart's executive vice president of corporate affairs and government relations

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11 comments
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Derni
Jun 30, 09 8:39 PM CDT
Wal-Mart is smart---with more plans in the pool costs will go down and they can offer their employeees something better than they have now..why not support something that will probably benefit them as a business Reply
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+6
IN RESPONSE:
SBS
Jun 30, 09 8:41 PM CDT
A good observation.
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
northeast
Jul 1, 09 5:05 AM CDT
Lmao...Wal-Mart already provides coverage (even for part-time workers) and has nothing to lose, whereas its competitors do.
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0
IN RESPONSE:
Mad
Jul 1, 09 5:45 AM CDT
Walmart offers shit to their employees that they frequently work 39.75 hours a week
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+4
IN RESPONSE:
northeast
Jul 1, 09 9:07 AM CDT
Wait, really? I'm working there as a temp for the summer (they're re-tiling) and I make overtime every week. I've been pretty impressed with the company's treatment of employees, although obviously they'll hire just about anyone who asks for a job.
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0

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