Apr. 09, 2005 - 20:38 MST

THE WONDERING JEW

Be Done

Bill Scanlon of the Rocky Mountain News has an article in today's paper which brings something to light, I think interesting. In part:

"In a widely quoted story, the The St. Petersburg Times reported March 25 that Wal-Mart, which receives millions of dollars in state incentives to create jobs in Florida, has more employees and family members enrolled in Medicaid -- 12,300 -- than any company in the state."

"In response, Wal-Mart told the Times 86 per cent of its employees nationwide have health insurance -- 56 percent through the company's health care plan. "As the nation's largest employer, we will by default be be the largest on many types of lists," spokesman Dan Fogleman told the Times. He added that without Wal-Mart's jobs many more people would be on Medicaid and other forms of public assistance."

"The Times said other large companies, including Burger King Corp. are getting state incentives and have many employess eligible for state-financed health care."

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Bill Scanlon's reason for the article is, "Colorado would publish a list of companies that offer little or no health insurance -- as well as how much they're costing the state in Medicaid -- if a bill approved in the House (Colorado) Friday becomes law..."

"Wal-Mart Corp. and fast-food restaurants are expected to be high on the list."

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Old knee-jerkers opinions here:

Seems to me that companies by necessity should be forced to provide adequate health care to all employees.

Now so many of these companies are getting breaks financially from states and cities I would think that those breaks be taken from the compaines and should be put into health care. Otherwise the companies are having things both ways -- financical profit and emplyees on Medicaid at our expense.

Not the fancy elective stuff, but plain basic health care including preventative care as well.

In the case of Wal-Mart, if what I have read is true about them having whole corporations and factories in China now to supply them and cutting down on the prices they pay for inventory goods each year, seems to me that adequate enough wages would be paid that a share of the wages go to company paid health care. Much on the basis of many corporations, a company plan and the privilege to use any reputable HMO which would supply the same care as the company's doctors and hospitals supply seems to be fair to me.

It appears to have been lost in transit that health care has been part of the union/company bargaining for years.

It seems to me also that small companies should be forced to pay into health care plans too.

Seems that I have read that some families of our military folk are living on food stamps or their equivalent.

I don't have the expertise to be able to suggest a solution to the problem. It does seem to me that every person born in this country should be automatically entitled to adequate health care, period. National Health Care like the UK ?

A national minimum wage above that of the "real cost of living," take home package and a percentage above that paid into health care for the employee and families.

In this country of bounteous advantages there should, I think, be enough that we all should be sheltered, fed and taken care of medically. Sure for those who work at the lowest level and are least motivated, one room, cafeteria food, public transportation, yadda, yadda. Bare minimum, but there for them. But health care should be the same for all I believe.

I do not have sensible answers I know, but I strongly feel that something concrete should Be Done . . . . . . .

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