Let's hear it for the Maryland legislature! (Wal-Mart & healthcare)

[CornField]

And, let's hope all states follow closely behind.

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http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2006-01-12-walmart-maryland_x.htm

The Maryland General Assembly became the first state legislature in the nation Thursday to approve legislation forcing Wal-Mart (WMT) to pay more for its employee health care, potentially paving the way for other states to follow suit.

The bill, which passed despite a veto by Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich Jr., requires employers with more than 10,000 workers to spend at least 8% of their payroll on employee health care or else pay into a fund for the uninsured. At this time, only Wal-Mart is affected by the legislation.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Sarah Clark said the company is exploring options to challenge the law, which takes effect in January 2007.

"Wal-Mart does believe everyone should have access to affordable health care, and this legislation does nothing to accomplish this goal," Clark says, adding, "This was about partisan politics. ... The General Assembly took a giant step backwards."

(more at link)

[ananda]

1. Whoa!

If only other states could do that.

[theboss]

2. I can't imagine this law will withstand a challenge

You can't pass a law that impacts only one person or business.

[CornField]

6. It doesn't single-out Wal-Mart -- it affects every business with

10,000+ employees.

[theboss]

11. Except that is only Wal-Mart

It's a clever way of avoiding explicitly naming Wal-Mart in the law.

[CornField]

13. It serves the purpose

Unless Wal-Mart can prove the 10,000 figure was chosen specifically in an attempt to single them out (and I don't think it can), Wal-Mart can't claim the law is discriminatory.

[liberal N proud]

3. Will Wal-Mart just close the Maryland stores to avoid the ruling?

They have closed stores in the past where the employees voted to unionize.

[Mutley]

5. I'm torn about that.

In one way it'd be great for not to have to look at that crap anymore, but I do NOT want all those people to lose their jobs. Walmart is a big deal around here, though, so I doubt they'll close the stores.

[MountainLaurel]

10. MD has 52 stores

And Wal-Mart is planning to build more. That's too huge a chunk of money for WM to lose by closing those stores.

[Clark2008]

17. Who cares if they do?

The poor folks of Maryland would be better off spending a few extra pennies at a store that doesn't participate in the use of near-slave labor and foists cheap Chinese products onto them.

It would better their economy in the long-run by not keeping wages low.

[Mutley]

4. Woohoo!!

Sometimes I actually do love my state! :applause:

[chat_noir]

7. MSNBC poll: Should Wal-Mart be required to pay for health insurance

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10828215

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x127558

[LynneSin]

15. How can any idiot who pay taxes say no

Because when people do not have health insurance WE the taxpayers have to pay for it.

If I were some repuke screaming about taxes all the time I would be front and center demanding that Wal-Mart pay their share!

[iamjoy]

8. They Just Don't Get It

I am tired of paying for the health insurance of employees of companies like Wal-Mart.
I am tired of not having funding for roads because the money has to go to pay for medicaid and healthy kids programs. I am tired of paying more for health insurance to help cover the catastrophic costs when an uninsured person gets sick and shows up at an emergency room. And I become angry when I think that some of these people for whom I am paying are working full time, but not paid enough to afford health insurance on their own, so they become a burden on the state. It occurs to me I am not paying for them, but for their CEOs and Upper Level Management to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle.

I do not blame the working poor. They are doing what they can. I blame the companies and I blame our government. Health Care should be a right, not a priveledge.

[MountainLaurel]

9. Woot!

:applause: :applause:

:woohoo:

[LiberalEsto]

12. Woohoo!

I hope this sends a message to Gov. Bobby Haircut that Maryland Democrats are united and willing to fight his pro-corporate, anti-people policies.

My main fear is that now Hell-Mart will pump millions into the upcoming Maryland governor and legislative races to tilt the Legislature toward pro-corporate rethugs.

Maryland Democrats will have to use their unity and energy to do some serious fundraising in the upcoming months.

[LynneSin]

14. Just to note: Three other business in MD qualified under this

However all three business already were in compliance. John Hopkins has over 10k employees but I read somewhere because they are not-for-profit that they only need to cover 6%. But hell, they have a hospital so it's easy for them. Lockheed-Martin also qualifies and surpasses the 8%.

Oddly enough there was one other retail chain that met the 10K+ employees and that was Giant Food. And even THEY had over 8%

[IdaBriggs]

16. Prior to this, Maryland was dead to me. Not anymore!

:) Way to go, Maryland! Save the taxpayers money! Woo Hoo!

P.S. Maryland was dead to me because I couldn't find a frickin' gas station despite being on main roads in well populated areas for nearly twenty miles -- where the heck do they hide the stupid things???? All is forgiven now, though! Maryland ROCKS!!!

:yourock:

[Mutley]

18. Lol, where were you when that happened?

[IdaBriggs]

21. On a main highway, heading away from Virginia.

Specifically, Interstate 495 (called "the Beltway"). We drove around for nearly forty-five minutes in search of a gas station -- it was a good thing I was "being careful!" Its easier to laugh about now, but at the time, it was pretty nerve wracking, and therefore we declared the state "dead to us!" LOL. :)

[chat_noir]

19. Wal-Mart's Ehrlich connection did not work

Wal-Mart's Ehrlich connection did not work - Maryland legislators override governor's health care veto

Wal-Mart will have to pay a health care tax in the US State of Maryland. This became clear yesterday, when the state legislators dumped the governor's veto against their earlier decision to make the Bentonville giant contribute towards their workers' and their children's medical costs through taxation, instead of through subsidised health insurance as their competitors normally do.

The Maryland decision, first of its kind in the United States, means that the largest retailer in the world has once again lost face. Highly profitable and with an owner family - the Walton's - that top the lists of the richest Americans, Wal-Mart builds its success on social dumping and exploiting its workforce.

The renewed decision on Thursday by the Maryland General Assembly to put the Fair Share Health Care Act in place is a slap on the fingers of both Wal-Mart and State Governor Robert Ehrlich. The republican governor has been supported in his campaigning by the Bentonville retailer, and did apparently not hesitate to help them out by vetoing the bill.

Wal-Mart actually hosted a fundraising reception on behalf of the Governor on December 15, 2004, just months before he vetoed the health care bill. The invitation made it very clear that Wal-Mart was the sponsor of the USD 1,000 per person event, and that the Governor was the beneficiary.

- Make Checks Payable to Bob Ehrlich for Maryland Committee, the invitation stated. A copy of the invitation is available by clicking here.

http://www.union-network.org/unicommerce.nsf/0/BBC9B175A9F6104EC12570F5004B05E9?OpenDocument

[CornField]

20. Damn. All that money on a reception & it didn't get them squat.

:rofl: