For Immediate Release
August 13, 2009

Contact: Meghan Scott
202-721-8014


WAKEUPWALMART.COM LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN TO DEMAND HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM

Press conferences across the country highlight Walmart’s poor record on health coverage; call on elected officials to support quality, affordable coverage for all

Washington, DC – WakeUpWalMart.com, America’s campaign to change Wal-Mart, with more than 450,000 members nationally, this week launched a new campaign to demand health insurance reform. Walmart workers, community leaders, and members of Walmart Workers for Change, Health Care for America NOW and WakeUpWalMart.com will join together in front of district congressional offices to demand quality, affordable health coverage for all Walmart associates and all workers.

President Obama has made health insurance reform his number one priority, and people all across the country are coming out to show their support for this important issue. While Walmart has attempted to use this opportunity to gain good PR, they remain one of the worst offenders. Walmart recently released an ad claiming that 94 percent of their associates have some type of healthcare, but what they don’t say is that only 52 percent get it through the company. Walmart insures far fewer employees than most large companies, who, on average, cover 65 percent of their employees

Walmart’s coverage is also far too costly. If an average full time Walmart Associate faces a serious family health issue, they have to pay the entire out-of-pocket maximum for the least expensive health plan, which adds up to 53% of their income.

"Yes, Walmart offers us options for health care,” said Mark Moore, a Walmart associate in Dallas, Texas, “but it doesn't cover what we really need. If Walmart was more responsible, they could stop making us decide between health coverage and paying our bills."

This unacceptably high price forces many Walmart employees on to public programs like Medicaid and SCHIP. Between Medicaid and SCHIP, taxpayers are paying over a billion a year to provide healthcare for Walmart's employees.

As part of the campaign, local Walmart associates will speak out about their experience with Walmart and health care. They will urge the public, and elected officials to support comprehensive health insurance reform. Other speakers will include local community leaders, Health Care for America NOW activists, and others.

The campaign will also feature a petition drive, asking community members and Walmart customers to support real health insurance reform. Workers, community leaders and local WakeUpWalmart.com activists will distribute 50,000 petition cards that read “I think Walmart should stop forcing taxpayers to cover its workers’ health care. With $13 billion in profits just last year, Walmart can afford to provide all its workers with affordable health care. As the largest retailer in America, it’s time for Walmart to do right by its workers.” The petition card drives home the message that, when it comes to health care, Walmart is “all talk and no action.”

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