Attention radio stations: Download audio statement by Sarah Clark, Wal-Mart Spokesperson (mp3 - 1:22 TRT)
Attention TV stations: Download broadcast-quality video below.
The following can be attributed to Sarah Clark, Wal-Mart Spokesperson:
“We believe that everyone should have access to affordable health insurance. This legislation does nothing to accomplish that goal.
“There are 786,000 uninsured people in the state of Maryland and less than one-half of one percent work for Wal-Mart. Clearly, the legislators who voted for this bill have let down hundreds of thousands of Marylanders in need.
“More than three-fourths of Wal-Mart associates have health insurance. And every Wal-Mart associate in Maryland -- both full-time and part-time -- can become eligible for health coverage that costs as little as $23 per month.
“This vote was never about health care. This was about partisan politics in the Maryland gubernatorial race. In allowing a bad bill to become a bad law, the General Assembly took a giant step backward and placed the special interests of Washington, D.C. union leaders ahead of the well-being of the people they serve. And that’s wrong.
“The American people know that catering to the special interests does nothing to help the 46 million uninsured individuals in this country. Now is the time for legislators across the country to work together to find real solutions to the health care challenges facing every state, every business and every working family.
“It’s time for Washington, D.C. union leaders to stop their attacks, and let working families decide where to shop and work.”
About Wal-Mart Stores
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM’S CLUB locations in the United States. The company also operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, México, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Kingdom. The company’s securities are listed on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting www.walmartfacts.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmartfacts.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com.
Quick Facts about Wal-Mart Health Care
- More than three-fourths of Wal-Mart associates nationwide have health insurance – either through a company plan, a spouse’s plan or Medicare.
- Unlike the employees of many of our retail competitors, every Wal-Mart associate -- both full-time and part-time -- can become eligible for health coverage.
- Anywhere in the country, including Maryland, every eligible associate has access to individual coverage for no more than $23 per month and 50 cents more per day for children. Family coverage starts at $65 per month.
- In some markets across the nation, individual health coverage is available through a new Value Plan for as low as $11 per month and just 30 cents more per day for children.
- A 2004 survey of hourly associates showed that 30% had no health coverage before coming to work for Wal-Mart.
- After one year, there’s no lifetime maximum on health care expenses for any Wal-Mart plan in Maryland or anywhere in America, which protects associates and their families from catastrophic financial loss.
Hear about Wal-Mart health care benefits from Wal-Mart associate Brad Wilson, Manager, Westminster, Maryland
Brad Wilson is the store manager at the Westminster, Maryland, Wal-Mart. Like many couples, he and his wife Melissa are proud parents. But becoming parents was quite an ordeal for the Wilsons. Melissa had to quit her job with a school district and be placed on bed rest while she was pregnant with quadruplets, coming on to the Wal-Mart plan at that point in time.
The babies came 11 weeks early and one child was lost. The three that survived were in intensive care for the first 8 to 9 weeks of their lives, incurring tremendous medical bills. But, as the Wilsons will tell you, Wal-Mart’s health insurance plan was there to protect them every step of the way.
Click here to download broadcast-quality video. Includes the following:
Cut 1 Melissa Wilson discusses the ordeal they went through. :51 Outcue: very relieved.
Cut 2 Melissa Wilson says Wal-Mart insurance offers good insurance that provides peace of mind. :13 Outcue: gonna be covered.
Cut 3 Brad Wilson gives a narrative of going through the pregnancy. :23 Outcue: after that.
Cut 4 Brad Wilson says Wal-Mart insurance was something his family could count on. :09 Outcue: came through.
Cut 5 Brad Wilson says that Wal-Mart associates have a lot of options from which to choose for their medical coverage. :13 Outcue: you and your family.