The NYT ran this article today on how states are attempting to force Wal-Mart to cough up more money for benefits for its workers. Citing the expense of the coverage (the rates sound very reasonable, although still very expensive in relation to worker pay – like nearly every company I work with) these states are trying to force Wal-Mart to either cover workers or pay money to the state for coverage. As I’ve commented in the past, this is a horrible idea. I wish Wal-Mart would respond by putting medical clinics into all its stores and going into the health care business. It would be nice to see them blow up the broken health care system like they did retail. I think Wal-Mart has it about right: if government is so worried about health care costs why not do something about our broken health care system instead of raising taxes to pay for a system that’s broken?
