Wal-Mart Denounces Health Bill

washington post ^ | 4-7-05 | Michael Barbaro

[TXBSAFH]

Wal-Mart Denounces Health Bill Retailer Says Maryland Could Lose Future Jobs

By Michael Barbaro Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, April 7, 2005; Page E01

ROGERS, Ark., April 6 -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. yesterday said approval of a bill that would require it to boost health care spending in Maryland could endanger its plans for growth in the state, including a new distribution center that would employ as many as 1,000.

The company questioned the motivation behind the bill, which is backed by a top competitor and its labor union.

Wal-Mart "will have to rethink its future growth in a state that is willing to pass such a bad business bill," said Nate Hurst, a government relations manager for the company. "This type of legislation, where lawmakers single out one employer, does not create a favorable environment."

[2banana]

Five years from now, journalists will wonder why Maryland has an unemployment rate double her neighbor states...

[Non-Sequitur]

Wal-Mart "will have to rethink its future growth in a state that is willing to pass such a bad business bill," said Nate Hurst, a government relations manager for the company.

Yeah, right. Bill or no bill, Walmart isn't going to pull out of the state of Maryland, nor will it change it's plan for future stores there. New store sales is what is keeping it's sales growth figures respectable.

[ran15]

If you look at the world right now, there is increasing opportunity for business all over the place. Walmart as big as it is, ultimately only has a limited number of management capable of working on expansion. A company can only grow so quickly..

So if there is a better chance to make money in say Brazil, then Maryland, they will go there.

This legislation is also a bad signal to businesses thinking about expanding in Maryland... Become too successful and the state will move in to shut you down.

[ran15]

They'll have to find a new company to scape goat.

[rollo tomasi]

A lot of Maryland pols. could give a rats behind about this. The electorate just keeps on voting them in, this is just catering to their money people. I wish people would wake up and actually pay attention to what our "leaders" do.

[twigs]

Maryland has always been a difficult state in which to employee people. I used to sell employee leasing there, and it was our more difficult state, which ironically, made our job easier.

[Nightbird]

along those lines, anyone have the bill number? It wasn't included in the article by this "reporter."

This marylander wants to see where his delegates are on this.

[excalibur1701]

I wish our state would pass a bill like this, if it prevents future growth of Wal-marts. Wal-marts are all over our state of Indiana. They have became too big for their britches.

[green iguana]

Bill or no bill, Walmart isn't going to pull out of the state of Maryland

They were talking about plans for a 1000 employee distribution center. That could easily be placed in a neighboring state.

[rollo tomasi]

I read an article yesterday that said this particular bill was veto proof. I think that should tell you how many State Leg. voted for this.

[American Vet Repairman]

Wal Mart has the chance to go in a new direction in health care. By hiring a private doctor and several mid-level practitioners they can bypass many insurance hassles and become their own basic provider. Having the midlevels at the local level and the Doc as the regional supervisor will be cost effective.

After developing the infrastructure they can create a low cost office that serves the uninsured and is not burdened with many conventional practice hassles.

[Revelation 911]

for as much as they have a reputation of being mercilous to their vendors, weilding gargantuan buying power, why dont they offer a health care plan a shopper / customer could purchase ? - they sell everything else - why not? - the resulting addition of base clients would allow them to provide the cheapest plan to their employees

[Revelation 911]

whoa - great minds heheh

[Racehorse]

wish our state would pass a bill like this, if it prevents future growth of Wal-marts. Wal-marts are all over our state of Indiana. They have became too big for their britches.

Indeed.

. . . health benefits remain a focus of unwelcome attention for Wal-Mart. Organized labor and unionized retailers argue that because the discount chain covers less than half of its employees, companies across the economy are being forced to cut benefits to compete, dragging down workers' standard of living.

[ . . .]

Giant Vice President Barry F. Scher said that health care costs now account for 20 percent of Giant's payroll expenses. By comparison, Wal-Mart spends between 7 and 8 percent, Hurst said.

An earlier article reports 18 other States are considering similar legislation.  Contact your State legislator.  If you're not among the 18, you could be.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Would Wal Mart health care workers get health care ?

[SJSAMPLE]

Yep.
Nothing like limiting free enterprise merely because some legislators, corporations (and people) are jealous. It's the gubmints job to keep them down. Where's my check?

[cinives]

Woah ! You think it's a good idea for the state to tell any business how to run their business, and what conditions of employment they must offer ? Sure, let's just legislate high wages, unlimited health care, and lots of vacations.

Today WalMart, tomorrow every business.

Just another nail in the coffin of a competitive business.

[Revelation 911]

That would be cool if they could drive the cost of a health care plan down by selling plans, the profits of which could subsidize their own employees health care benefits

Just an idea

Im frankly tired of being dictated to and would relish the chance to have a HMO actually compete for my business, if walmart did in fact ever choose to sell plans

[Racehorse]

Would Wal Mart health care workers get health care ?

Probably not. 

To further insure associated labor costs are minimal, most likely Wal Mart will import the doctors and med techs from China and India.  The nurses they will probably bring in from the Philippines.