Kentucky Republican Sponsors Fair Share Health Care Legislation
Posted on January 17, 2006 by webteam
From Saturday’s Louisville Courier-Journal:
Wal-Mart would have to increase spending on health insurance for its Kentucky employees or else help the state’s Medicaid program pay for their care under a bill pending before the General Assembly.
The measure, patterned after a law enacted by the Maryland legislature this week, is opposed by Gov. Ernie Fletcher’s administration.
The bill, whose lead sponsor is freshman Rep. Melvin Henley, R-Murray, makes Kentucky one of about 30 states where “Wal-Mart bills” could be filed this year. That’s according to union-backed organizations pushing for such legislation.
The bills are in response to growing criticism that the retail giant has shifted health costs to state governments by skimping on benefits for employees.
Wal-Mart offers health insurance, but many low-income employees who can’t afford the premiums join state Medicaid rolls instead, critics say.
Henley is sponsoring the bill with Jefferson County Democratic Reps. Joni Jenkins and Mary Lou Marzian.
He said he did so after being contacted by Wal-Mart Watch, a union-backed group in Washington, D.C., that seeks to boost pay and benefits for the retailer’s workers.
“I just felt like it was the right thing to do,” Henley said.
Click here to read the full story.
Click here to see what other states are picking up the health care tab for Wal-Mart’s employees.
