Wal-mart, according in an internal memo, is taking some extreme steps to lower health care costs, including discouraging 'unhealthy' applicants. This summary is from the New York Times:
In the memorandum, M. Susan Chambers, Wal-Mart's executive vice president for benefits, also recommends reducing 401(k) contributions and wooing younger, and presumably healthier, workers by offering education benefits. The memo voices concern that workers with seven years' seniority earn more than workers with one year's seniority, but are no more productive.
To discourage unhealthy job applicants, Ms. Chambers suggests that Wal-Mart arrange for "all jobs to include some physical activity (e.g., all cashiers do some cart-gathering)."
The memo acknowledged that Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, had to walk a fine line in restraining benefit costs because critics had attacked it for being stingy on wages and health coverage. Ms. Chambers acknowledged that 46 percent of the children of Wal-Mart's 1.33 million United States employees were uninsured or on Medicaid.
As much as it flopped in the general election, actions like these show why Kerry's health care plan, in which the government pays for catastrophic care, or something like it is desperately needed. The politics too may be changing as Americans watch cynical contortions like Wal-Mart's and companies profits get squeezed.
It is unfortunate to hear so many lack health insurance. We really need to improve our health care system. Health insurance is a major aspect to many and we should help everyone get covered. I think its awful walmart is not hiring people with diabetics. I have diabetis and I think its unfair to many that they would do such a thing.
Posted by: California Health Insurance | November 10, 2005 at 02:33 PM