Monday, February 27, 2006

Wal-Mart Tries to Avoid State Action

With many states lined up to demand that Wal-Mart provide health care to all its employess, CEO Lee Scott asked the governors to help the company.

"We know our benefits at Wal-Mart stores are not perfect," Scott told the National Governors Association. "Do we want more of our associates' kids on our health plans? Of course we do."

Wal-Mart is offering a health plan for an $11 per month premium in which families will get three doctor visits before the co-pay kicks in. How much is the co-pay? A cool $1,000.

How many families earning at or below the poverty level can afford $1,000?

With a $3 billion annual profit, you'd think they can do better than that.