Did Walmart Just Squash Push for National Health Care in America?
STUART VARNEY: This week, America’s biggest private employer sent President Obama a letter saying it backs the mandate for big companies to provide healthcare to all workers. And Neil, you say that letter helps squash the push for national health care? NEIL WEINBERG: I think business is seeing a socialist future and it is scary. The last thing they want is a government program so they are saying, “Gee, if the alternative here to a government program is for us to give healthcare to everybody, then I guess we will do that. We will swallow and just have to go on and do it.” QUENTIN HARDY: I think it is a red herring. I don’t think the government intended to take over healthcare 100 percent. Walmart gets a pretty good deal as it stands; only 53 percent of their workers take Walmart’s health plan. That compares to 63 percent of companies in general with 200 or more employees. Walmart has 36,000 employees on Medicaid. If they can hold that kind of program while others have to sign up, they g
