Pressure on Wal-Mart might bump health insurance to forefront

02/27/2006
It's beside the point whether the latest Wal-Mart announcement on health care benefits is strictly for show or the real thing. The controversy over what Wal-Mart does or doesn't give its employees is putting health care on the national agenda.

Perhaps the issue will get the attention it deserves.

Last week Wal-Mart announced it would expand coverage for its workers and open more than 50 clinics in its stores. Critics of Wal-Mart scoffed, calling it a public relations gimmick.

Wal-Mart has been criticized for not offering medical insurance to many of its employees. The Maryland Legislature passed a law in January that would force large employers in that state to offer coverage. Wal-Mart is the only employer that law affects. More states are trying to follow Maryland's example.