Wal-Mart Watch Statement on Maryland Decision

Washington, D.C., Wednesday, July 19, 2006 – Wal-Mart Watch executive director Andrew Grossman today released the following statement in response to U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz’s decision:

Today’s decision is not the final word on this piece of legislation and we remain optimistic that there will be an appeal. This debate has accomplished our goal of drawing added scrutiny to Wal-Mart’s unaffordable and inaccessible employee heath care plan.

More than any other employer, Wal-Mart shifts its health care costs onto taxpayers – in all 21 states that have disclosed this data. Wal-Mart simply doesn’t pay its fair share and Judge Motz acknowledged this by encouraging other states to experiment with creative solutions to the health care crisis. A recent Washington Post survey found that 77 percent of Marylanders support the legislation and this issue will remain at the forefront of the public debate in this election year.