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Wal-Mart Backs Plan to Make Employers Provide Coverage

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 30, 2009 9:33 PM CDT

(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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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
Mad
Jul 1, 2009 10:45 AM CDT
Walmart offers shit to their employees that they frequently work 39.75 hours a week
northeast
Jul 1, 2009 10:06 AM CDT
Yeah....it actually includes a remarkably substantial discount on prescription medication. You're going to need to fact-check before you pull stuff out of your ass.
northeast
Jul 1, 2009 10:05 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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