Wal-Mart Forced To Increase Health Benefits In Maryland

A new state bill, opposed by the governor, will apply only to the corporate giant.

1 minute read

January 16, 2006, 9:00 AM PST

By David Gest


"Maryland lawmakers bucked the will of the state's Republican governor and the nation's largest retailer yesterday, voting to become the first state to effectively require that Wal-Mart spend more on employee health care."

"The bill will require private companies with more than 10,000 employees in Maryland to spend at least 8 percent of their payroll on employee health benefits or make a contribution to the state's insurance program for the poor. Wal-Mart, which employs about 17,000 Marylanders, is the only known company of such size that does not meet that spending requirement."

Friday, January 13, 2006 in The Washington Post

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