Wal-Mart's Unhealthy Care Leaves Taxpayers Paying the Bill

Who pays for Wal-Mart workers' health care? We all do.

Despite Wal-Mart's mammoth profits, the company actually burdens us -- taxpayers -- with its workers' health care costs. In a disturbing nationwide trend, more state studies are revealing that Wal-Mart employees are the top recipients of taxpayer-paid health care.

The scope of this corporate failure is massive: Wal-Mart is the largest private employer in the United States, with over 1.3 million associates, yet it fails to give health insurance to 53 percent of its employees.

But change is coming!On January 12, 2006, the Maryland House and Senate made history by passing the Fair Share Health Care Act. This legislation will force Wal-Mart to contribute more to pay for its worker's healthcare coverage. Wal-Mart has been burdening taxpayers with its workers' health care costs for far too long, and this bill will help stop that practice.

Now as many as thirty states nationwide are considering similar legislation. Send a message to your state legislatures that you support legislation to require your state's largest employers to meet minimal standards for health care expenditures.


Dear State Representatives,

In a historic move the Maryland House and Senate voted to pass the Fair Share Health Care Act. This legislation will force Wal-Mart to contribute more to pay for its worker's healthcare coverage. I am writing to respectfully request that you support similar legislation in our state.

As a taxpayer I am outraged that despite Wal-Mart's mammoth profits, the company actually burdens us -- taxpayers -- with its workers' health care costs.
[Your Comment]

Wal-Mart is the largest private employer in the United States, with over 1.3 million associates, yet it fails to give health insurance to 53 percent of its employees. Wal-Mart touts the low cost of its health-care options; however, the plan described also includes a high annual deductible. Associates must pay $1,000 in medical bills each year before Wal-Mart coverage begins. That is not affordable coverage!

Consequently, lawmakers in 16 states have revealed troubling statistics. Wal-Mart employees top Medicaid and CHIP rolls; too many are forced to rely on public assistance for their health coverage.

It is unacceptable that a company with annual profits of $10 billion feels justified in padding its profits even further by shifting the burden of healthcare costs to state governments. If companies refuse to act responsibly then we need legislation that forces them to.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
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