Well, after Maryland passed the anti-WalMart law you knew California was going to be right behind them. And Sen Migden introduced such a bill to the Senate today:
Sacramento — California’s largest employers would be required to prop up the state’s medical insurance program for the poor if they don’t offer their workers generous enough health benefits under a bill set for introduction in the Senate.
Modeled after a law passed earlier this month in Maryland that only affected mega-retailer Wal-Mart, the California legislation would require employers of more than 10,000 to spend at least 8 percent of total wages on health benefits.
If they don’t, the company would contribute the difference between what it does pay and the 8 percent threshold to Medi-Cal, the state’s health care provider of last resort. (SF Chronicle 2/2/06)
Well, employers of more than 10,000 who don’t pay for health insurance…hmmm, who would that be? Well, of course, only WalMart meets those classifications. Poor Sam Walton must be quivering in his grave.
All jokes aside, this is probably a reasonable measure. 8% isn’t really that high, very attainable for any company that doesn’t purposely attempt too shift the health care costs to the state. Let’s face it people, that’s the real reason Walmart is so darn cheap. If you could get the state to pay for you workers insurance, sure that Mom and Pop place could compete. Well maybe if the Mom and Pop places joined together with other Mom and Pop places to buy together for those volume discounts. But that’s neither here nor there.
It’s a cute idea, and one that makes a strong symbolic statement. But, at some point our government must realize that our companies cannot compete in the global market with these soaring health care costs. Single-payer insurance is really the only feasible answer. We need the government to ensure that the citizens don’t have to worry about health care. It’s gotta happen at some point, right Hillary?
