Employer carrot missing

Sens. Murray and Cantwell have been steadfast supporters for working people. The health care reform legislation that is currently being debated in the U.S. Senate is our opportunity to make health care accessible to all Americans and Sens. Murray and Cantwell have stood up to make this a reality.

However, I now have begun to have serious concerns about the Senate’s provisions on shared responsibility. The lack of meaningful employer responsibility will benefit corporations like Wal-Mart more than the working people of Washington state.

A recent report by the United Food and Commercial Workers revealed that the Senate health care reform bill includes little or no incentive for Wal-Mart to provide insurance to more workers or provide better care. The legislation would force low-income Wal-Mart workers into high-deductible, company-provided insurance, making them spend thousands on out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, if this legislation passes it will continue the dependence of tens of thousands of Wal-Mart employees on federal and state subsidies for Medicaid and SCHIP.

That’s why I’m counting on our senators to strengthen the employer responsibility provisions. Will they be leaders for the working people on this issue like they have been in the past?

Virginia Hein

Spokane