Home Depot to switch part-time workers to health-exchange coverage
September 19, 2013|Reuters
Home Depot Inc. plans to shift medical coverage for part-time employees to public health care exchanges.
The world’s largest home improvement retail chain announced its move shortly after a similar announcement from Trader Joe’s Co, a privately held grocery chain.
The change, which the home improvement chain detailed to Reuters Thursday, would affect the roughly 20,000 part-time workers who had chosen the limited liability medical coverage offered by the company, spokesman Stephen Holmes said.
After Dec. 31, companies can no longer offer those plans under the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
Stopped by Lowe’s a few days ago. Lots of people in red smocks running around asking people if they needed help. Lots more in smocks than there were customers. Yet there’s a big “Help Wanted” sign up front. I told my wife they’re going to a total part time work force.
I see this as a good thing.
Anything that separates “health insurance” (which is really pre-aid healthcare, not insurance) from employment is a good thing.
The only hope to save the system is for people to actually realize what “healthcare” costs.