WakeUpWalMart.com Launches Web Site to Oppose Health Savings Accounts
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- WakeUpWalMart.com, the organized labor-led movement that considers itself "America's campaign to change Wal-Mart," launched a new online campaign calling on chain and President George Bush to stop supporting health savings accounts.
The "First Wal-Mart, Now President Bush" online initiative was launched in response to support for so-called privatized health care options, like "health savings accounts," the group said.
"Wal-Mart is determined to use its special interest power to destroy the employer-based health care system in America," said Paul Blank, campaign director for http://www.WakeUpWalMart.com, in a statement. "Both President Bush and Wal-Mart have teamed up to shift the health care costs from multi-billion dollar corporations to workers struggling to get by -- it is a national disgrace."
Beginning in January 2006, Wal-Mart introduced Health Savings Accounts (HSA's) as an additional health coverage option for its 1.3 million employees in the United States.
The labor group claims that Wal-Mart's HSAs will do nothing to increase the number of workers insured under the company's plan, since only Wal-Mart employees who have had company health care for more than a year are eligible for the HSAs.
The online campaign will initially launch on Web sites including http://www.Dailykos.com, and is expected to reach more than 10 million unique visitors during the first week, according to WakeUpWalMart.com.
The "First Wal-Mart, Now President Bush" online initiative was launched in response to support for so-called privatized health care options, like "health savings accounts," the group said.
"Wal-Mart is determined to use its special interest power to destroy the employer-based health care system in America," said Paul Blank, campaign director for http://www.WakeUpWalMart.com, in a statement. "Both President Bush and Wal-Mart have teamed up to shift the health care costs from multi-billion dollar corporations to workers struggling to get by -- it is a national disgrace."
Beginning in January 2006, Wal-Mart introduced Health Savings Accounts (HSA's) as an additional health coverage option for its 1.3 million employees in the United States.
The labor group claims that Wal-Mart's HSAs will do nothing to increase the number of workers insured under the company's plan, since only Wal-Mart employees who have had company health care for more than a year are eligible for the HSAs.
The online campaign will initially launch on Web sites including http://www.Dailykos.com, and is expected to reach more than 10 million unique visitors during the first week, according to WakeUpWalMart.com.