Washblog

On Fri, 13 Jan 2006 11:38:16 -0800, Hewitt, Sen. Mike wrote > Thank you for writing to me in reference proposed legislation that would require private companies in Washington with more than 5,000 employees to provide those employees with health care coverage. Typically I do not respond to form drafted emails/letters, but I feel it is very important to set the facts straight on this issue. > I agree with you that health care insurance is important, but it is not as important as a job. Increasing an employer's costs to have workers will likely mean fewer workers - workers who currently have health care coverage. Measures that were introduced during the 2005 session House Bill 1702 and Senate Bill 5637 addressed the health care insurance. The only difference, as I understand it, with this year's version is that it applies only to very large companies, specifically Wal-Mart. Last year's bills applied to companies with just only 50 or more employees. This type of legislation is targeted at one company only and that is unfair. > I appreciate and share your concerns that we have a significant problem with the cost of health care. It is expensive, but mandating employer-paid health care insurance will not bring down the cost of health care. What we need to do is focus on making health care and health care insurance more affordable. > One way we can reduce the cost of health care is to decrease the number of mandates on health insurance carriers. Currently, state law imposes 48 different mandates on what must be covered by insurance plans offered in Washington. Trimming these mandates and giving employers and employees the ability to tailor their coverage to fit their needs will bring down the cost of health insurance. > Legislators can also reduce health care costs by bringing stakeholders to the table and providing the leadership needed to bring an end to the hugely expensive practice of defensive medicine. > We need to find ways to bring down the cost of medical liability insurance and we need to make changes in law that will reduce the incidences of frivolous lawsuits and unfair damage awards. > I know your concerns are genuine and I appreciate your taking the time to share them with me. > Senator Mike Hewitt

-8.75, -8.46 The Cutlass of Mild Reason

by cmk on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 10:27:34 AM PST

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I found the article about the Brown & Cole store closings and the CEO's remarks that he has to close these stores due to Wal-Mart's not paying it's fair share:

Founded in 1909, Brown & Cole provides health care coverage for 95 percent of its employees, most of whom are in unions, Cole said.

"It used to be accepted that good companies took care of their employees," he said, accusing Wal-Mart of "inferior wages and benefits for its workers, outsourcing jobs to foreign producers and showing little regard for the environment."

According to Wal-Mart figures, average pay for full-time workers in its Washington state outlets is $10.14 an hour -- less than at Brown & Cole -- and about half of its hourly workers in those stores are covered by the company's health care insurance. None have union contracts.

by Brian on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 11:22:41 AM PST

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by Particle Man on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 11:58:16 AM PST

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