“This is not only a great day for New York City, it is a great day for all Americans who believe profitable companies, like Wal-Mart, have a responsibility to do what is right and provide health care for their workers,” said Paul Blank, Campaign Director for WakeUpWalMart.com.
The Health Care Security Act is a historic piece of legislation as it represents the first attempt in the nation to establish a “health care minimum wage.” The bill will also hold employers, like Wal-Mart, accountable for failing to provide health care coverage for their employees. The legislation will be one of the first laws in the United States to require employers to pay for their employees’ health care.
HCSA already enjoys wide-spread support among New York City businesses, including Fairway, D’Agostinos, Key Food, Pathmark, and Stop & Shop. As many as 12,000 employees and their families in the grocery industry in New York City could gain health care as a result of the bill. The bill would also help protect the health care coverage for over 44,000 workers and their families.
“It is incredible to see New York City’s elected officials unite with business, labor, and community leaders to pass a law that provides health care for thousands of more Americans. This should serve as a wake-up call to companies, like Wal-Mart, that New Yorkers expect corporations, not taxpayers, to provide health care for their workers,” added Paul Blank.
The passage of the HCSA in New York City represents growing national momentum to make employers, like Wal-Mart, care about health care and provide affordable and comprehensive health care coverage for their workers. Already, as part of WakeUpWalMart.com’s “Make Wal-Mart Care About Health Care” campaign, thousands of Americans are leading statewide efforts to introduce “Fair Share Health Care” legislation. WakeUpWalMart.com, and its 68,000 supporters, are committed to introducing “Fair Share Health Care” legislation in all 50 states by early next year.
