[lbo-talk] Hidden subsidies to Wal-Mart

Miles Jackson cqmv at pdx.edu
Mon Mar 8 18:02:55 PST 2004


On Mon, 8 Mar 2004, John Lacny wrote:


> Good Jobs First notes here that Wal-Mart workers' children in Georgia
> enroll in PeachCare (the state's low-cost health insurance for
> low-income children) at such a high rate that they outnumber the
> enrolees at the next-highest private sector employer by 14 to 1. GJF
> notes that this is a form of public subsidy to a low-wage employer whose
> workers cannot afford health insurance.

I've heard these kinds of claims before, but I'm not sure I like where this analysis leads: if we actually had a universal health care system, by the logic above, we'd be providing an even bigger "subsidy" to Wal-Mart (and all businesses with employees). Is that such a bad thing?

Miles



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