BENTONVILLE, Ark., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The following was
released today by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT):
"We believe that everyone should have access to affordable health
insurance. This legislation does nothing to accomplish that goal.
"There are 786,000 uninsured people in the state of Maryland and less than
one-half of one percent work for Wal-Mart. Clearly, the legislators who voted
for this bill have let down hundreds of thousands of Marylanders in need.
"More than three-fourths of Wal-Mart associates have health insurance.
And every Wal-Mart associate in Maryland -- both full-time and part-time --
can become eligible for health coverage that costs as little as $23 per month.
"This vote was never about health care. This was about partisan politics
in the Maryland gubernatorial race. In allowing a bad bill to become a bad
law, the General Assembly took a giant step backward and placed the special
interests of Washington, D.C. union leaders ahead of the well-being of the
people they serve. And that's wrong.
"The American people know that catering to the special interests does
nothing to help the 46 million uninsured individuals in this country. Now is
the time for legislators across the country to work together to find real
solutions to the health care challenges facing every state, every business and
every working family.
"It's time for Washington, D.C. union leaders to stop their attacks, and
let working families decide where to shop and work," Sarah Clark,
Wal-Mart Spokesperson.
About Wal-Mart Stores
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood
Markets and SAM'S CLUB locations in the United States. The company also
operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, South
Korea and the United Kingdom. The company's securities are listed on the New
York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. More information about
Wal-Mart can be found by visiting http://www.walmartfacts.com . Online
merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com .
Quick Facts about Wal-Mart Health Care
* More than three-fourths of Wal-Mart associates nationwide have health
insurance -- either through a company plan, a spouse's plan or
Medicare.
* Unlike the employees of many of our retail competitors, every Wal-Mart
associate -- both full-time and part-time -- can become eligible for
health coverage.
* Anywhere in the country, including Maryland, every eligible associate
has access to individual coverage for no more than $23 per month and
50 cents more per day for children. Family coverage starts at
$65 per month.
* In some markets across the nation, individual health coverage is
available through a new Value Plan for as low as $11 per month and just
30 cents more per day for children.
* A 2004 survey of hourly associates showed that 30% had no health
coverage before coming to work for Wal-Mart.
* After one year, there's no lifetime maximum on health care expenses for
any Wal-Mart plan in Maryland or anywhere in America, which protects
associates and their families from catastrophic financial loss.
SOURCE Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
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Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010831/WALMARTLOGO
Related links:
http://www.walmartstores.com
http://www.walmartfacts.com http://www.walmart.com
CONTACT:
Sarah Clark of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.,
+1-479-273-4314
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