POOR WALMART needs to SUCK YOUR GOV BUCKS!!!!

Wal-Mart Asks Governors for Help Crafting Health Care Plan Sunday, February 26, 2006 STORIES WASHINGTON���Wal-Mart's chief executive told America's governors on Sunday that he needs their help to make health care more affordable and accessible for the retail giant's 1.3 million U.S. employees because the company can't do it alone. Lee Scott said Wal-Mart's health care costs have risen 19 percent in each of the last three years and that it's only a matter of time before it, along with other businesses, cannot sustain rising costs. "We know our benefits at Wal-Mart stores are not perfect," Scott told the National Governors Association. "Do we want more of our associates' kids on our health plans? Of course we do." Wal-Mart, based in Bentonville, Ark., has been the target of harsh criticism from watchdog groups and organized labor for what they say are costly and inaccessible plans. Under mounting criticism Wal-Mart last fall offered new lower-premium insurance aimed at getting more of its work force on company plans. The company announced last week it is expanding that effort. Scott said the "Value Plan" of $11 a month, now available in some areas, will be available to half of the company's employees within the next year. He also said children of part-time Wal-Mart employees will be eligible for health coverage as soon as the parent is and that the company plans to increase to about 50 the number of in-store health clinics that serve employees and the public. YYYYYEEEEEAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWHHHH!!!!!!!