PLATFORM/The cost of low prices
A bill in the Kentucky General Assembly that would require large companies — namely Wal-Mart — to spend at least 10 percent of their state payroll on employee health insurance or to a Medicaid fund is unlikely to move forward this session, according to The Courier-Journal. Maryland has passed similar legislation, and about 19 other states are considering bills because of complaints that the retailer has shifted health costs to state Medicaid programs. American City & County asked readers of its weekly e-mail newsletter whether they thought companies should be required to provide a minimum level of benefits to their employees.
“Anyone going to work for any company knows what the company offers for benefits, working conditions, etc. They can take it and be thankful they got a job, or they can look elsewhere. I believe we live in a free country, and government has no right to intervene into private business and set standards the business is to meet. This country was built by private business not government. Wal-Mart, while not meeting certain standards some think they should meet, has done more for the handicapped than any other company in the country.”
— Leon Geil, Assistant District Engineer, New Hampshire Department of Transportation
“Why should the state, and more importantly the taxpayers, pick up the tab for the largest company in the world, Wal-Mart? They pay most of their employees below the poverty line and provide sub-standard benefits. Why do you think their prices are lower than all other competitors? There should be some serious restrictions placed on Wal-Mart to be a good corporate citizen and provide adequate pay and benefits for all employees. After all, they are getting bigger and richer by the day, and our economy as a whole is getting smaller.”
— Robert LaVenture, Communications Engineer, Palm Beach County, Fla.
“Wal-Mart and companies like it are acting irresponsibly with respect to the needs of working people. Health care should be a not-for-profit, societal-wide program. And until that time comes, employers must shoulder responsible plans. Wal-Mart’s actions are reprehensible.”
— Jeff Ekola, Real Estate Agent, Madison, Wis.
