$218 billion in annual sales, and Wal-Mart can't pay for health insurance?

[bobweaver]

How would it hurt this company if they started paying for health insurance for all their employees. Doing so would throw a big bucket of water on the spreading fires of criticism of the company. What would it cost them to pay for health coverage for all their employees, and how much of their profits would that eat up?

[lenidog]

1. They could afford it but they don't

because it would cut into profits too much. And that is far more important to them than anything else.

[madrchsod]

3. it would cut into the profits of the walton family

105+ billion in stocks and cash and more each day. the company itself makes boat loads of money but on a very thin margin and that is one of the reasons they refuse to raise wages and benefits-it would lead to higher prices thus making walmart like any other company.

[FreakinDJ]

2. Greed has no price

or is just the thrill of exploiting teenages and single mothers

[jdj]

4. no because they have to "improve their image".

those commercials are expensive.

Amazing a company this profitable can't figure out the best way to improve your image is to just improve your image, instead of paying for commericials.

[jdj]

5. dupe

x

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. you have to learn to think like a cheap labor

conservative to understand why... but there is one reason... those poor bastards are where they are because they deserve it, and I the company don't need concern myself wtih that. If they need health care, that is what county is for.

(Paraphrase of a WM Manager interview at the Bernie Ward Show)

[Booster]

7. They pay for health insurance - it's just for the immediate family.

[LizW]

8. Not and pay the CEO 1,135 times what the average worker makes

http://www.aflcio.org/corporateamerica/paywatch/ceou/database.cfm?tkr=WMT&pg=1

[Yupster]

9. I don't believe health insurance should be tied to employment at all

Health insurance is a permanent need. Employment is temporary. It doesn't seem logical to tie a permanent need to something that's not permanent.

We should all get the same health insurance from a government run system. That's the only fair way to do it.

Your employer gives you a job, you give him labor.

He shouldn't have anything to do with your health insurance, car insurance or anything else. It's not his business.

[davis_islander]

10. You are 100000% right!

We need affordable health insurance for all people, regardless of their employment. I just changed jobs and went from having excellent insurance to CRAP insurance, and it costs me more than at my former employer. Now I have to change doctors, fill out copious amounts of paperwork, etc. And the COBRA "safety net", yeah right!?!?! Who has $600 a month to pay your former employer to continue your health insurance? It is insane! The unemployed are totally screwed in this regard. Not only are they suffering the stress and accompanying financial hardship of being out of work, they also have to choose between COBRA and FOOD! Another thing that really gripes me is that the health insurance companies treat you like rabble because to them, you the insured are not "the customer", but it is your company that is the customer. Therefore, they can treat you like crap, even though you are paying premiums through your company. Enough of my rant, I could go on and on.

[OneTwentyoNine]

13. And in the meantime??

Of course I see what your saying but what about right now,today,this minute?? I doubt if illness and injury are going wait for National health care,so the next best option is through and employer who employ's thousands.

With the money Walmart rakes in health insurance should be provided for little or nothing--seeing how 99% of their help makes little or nothing,compared to the cost of living.

[spanone]

11. but, but, but then they might only make 210 billion.How could they get by?

[Egalitariat]

12. The supply of unskilled labor is just too big

As harsh as it sounds, that's the answer to the question "Why doesn't Wal-Mart give health insurance to all of its workers?" And until that supply & demand imbalance changes (which will likely be never) that's how it will always be.

The only hope is for unions to organize Wal-Mart's workers, create an artificial supply constriction, and force Wal-Mart to give in.

[NVMojo]

14. having worked closely with the medical industry ...Walmart's health

insurance is one of the worst out there ....

[tsuki]

15. Like their products, and their "moral values." eom

[Neshanic]

16. Enabling and helping build Communism back up costs money.

The greed heads with the their Communist pals opening new Chinese stores need that money. You think graft and paying off local party leaders is cheap?