What They’re Saying About The ‘Better Health Care Together’ Campaign

One week after Wal-Mart Watch President Andy Stern, Wal-Mart C.E.O. Lee Scott and other business and labor leaders announced the “Better Health Care Together” campaign to push for universal health care coverage, the initial reviews are in.

Here’s a sampling of the reaction from a wide range of health care experts, elected officials and skeptics:

Los Angeles Times: “‘The fact they even got to the same table to talk about this in the first place is pretty amazing,’ said Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health, a national nonprofit organization that represents large concerns such as Exxon Mobil Corp., IBM Corp. and Procter & Gamble Co.” [Costello & Goldman, 2/8/07]
Harrisburg (Penn.) Patriot News: “Wow. Two intelligent people with different jobs and backgrounds – arch enemies on many fronts – got together to push a mutual goal… That’s like Roosevelt teaming with Stalin to fight Hitler. Two opposing groups put aside their own serious differences so they could fight a common enemy. I mean, Stern is the head of Wal-Mart Watch, a group that monitors the retailer more closely than Israel monitors Iran’s nuclear program.” [Barstow, 2/11/06]
USA Today: “‘What Scott’s reach does is give Republican moderates cover to do what they need to do, and Stern’s reach gives moderate Democrats cover to meet the Republicans halfway and solve the problem in a way both can live with,’ [Len] Nichols said.” [Appleby, 2/8/07]

Wall Street Journal: “We can understand Mr. Stern’s joyful presence on the stage. The Service workers chief has made it his life’s ambition to pass ‘national’ (i.e., government-run) health care, and enlisting a couple of big shot corporate executives to his side gives the effort a political boost. Mr. Stern is nothing if not a shrewd operator, and he all but laid out his business co-option strategy last year on these pages.” [Editorial, 2/9/07]
U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton: “I have learned from experience that we cannot achieve the goal of health care for every American if we don’t have buy-in from employers, government, and labor. Today’s announcement by America’s largest employer and some of America’s largest unions, along with organizations from across the political spectrum, is one more piece of evidence that there’s broad agreement that Americans deserve a health care system that covers everyone and lowers costs.” [Statement, 2/7/07]
Cox News Service: “Norman Ornstein, co-author of a book on congressional dysfunction, The Broken Branch, said that the creation of private-sector alliances could play a constructive role in getting Congress on a bipartisan track this year. ‘The signal that it sends is: ‘This is a big enough problem that people really want solutions,’ he said. Having business, labor and environmental leaders point out common ground can help show political leaders a path to successes on domestic policy. ‘All they are saying is: ‘Here are some steps we can take together,’ Ornstein said.” [Geewax, 2/14/07]
Christian Science Monitor: “‘Clearly, we’re going to start moving away from employer provided health insurance,’ says Richard Brown, director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. ‘Employers are seriously looking for a way to get out of this.’” [Trumbull, 2/13/07]
Los Angeles Times: “The initiative was noteworthy both in its scope and its call for businesses, employers and government to share costs. Karen Davis, president of the Commonwealth Fund, a national healthcare policy organization, said the cost-sharing idea is the most surprising. ‘This is the first time a prominent business group has said that business needs to pay for a portion of any new healthcare system,’ she said. In the past, the business community played a central role in torpedoing most healthcare reforms, including President Clinton’s ill-fated 1993 plan.” [Costello & Goldman, 2/8/07]
Wall Street Journal: “Several experts said it is hard to gauge the partnership’s effect. ‘I’m skeptical that they at this point agree on anything other than broad general principles,’ said William Custer, an economist and professor of health administration at Georgia State University. ‘I do think it’s going to have an effect because it’s another fairly weighty voice entering the debate and pushing for something to be done.’” [Maher, 2/8/07]
Los Angeles Times: “‘This is yet another indication that, save for Iraq, healthcare will be near or at the top of the political agenda for 2008,’ said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, a group that advocates overhauling healthcare.” [Costello & Goldman, 2/8/07]
Wall Street Journal: “Commenting on the new partnership, Sen. Ron Wyden, (D., Ore.), who has introduced legislation for a universal health-care plan, said, ‘Today, more employers and labor representatives are sending the message that our nation’s health-care system is broken, and if we don’t fix it, it will die under its own weight.’” [Maher, 2/8/07]
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius: “‘The fact that business and labor have come together to issue a united call for change is remarkable, and it adds great momentum to the drive to reform our health care system,’ said Sebelius. ‘There is broad recognition that our current health care system is broken and widespread agreement that it will take cooperation between businesses, workers, providers, and government to fix it. Many governors are already working toward this goal – making sure that families have affordable coverage – and are hopeful this joint effort, endorsed by business and labor, will prompt federal action quickly.’” [Statement, 2/8/07]
Cybercast News Service: “Greg D’Angelo, research assistant with the Center for Health Policy Studies at the conservative Heritage Foundation, told Cybercast News Service Wednesday’s event demonstrates that many financial leaders realize the health care model ‘we have now doesn’t necessarily work for the type of dynamic economy we have.’… ‘This is true for both employers and employees, particularly small businesses and people in the service sector,’ he said. ‘It isn’t really all that ironic that they’re teaming up and re-thinking the employer-based model to make it more of a system based on consumers, choice and portability.’” [Hall, 2/8/07]
Washington Post: “‘We’ve disagreed on many issues in the past, and I’m sure we will disagree on others going forward,’’ Sarah Clark, a spokeswoman for Wal-Mart, said yesterday. ‘However, resolving America’s health-care crisis is so important to this country that we’re willing to put aside our differences and work together.’” [Mui & Russakoff, 2/8/07]
Working Families For Wal-Mart: “The alliance is meant to put politics aside and work together for the common good for America’s working families and the future of this country’s healthcare system. Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott and Andrew Stern aim to change the national health care system for the better by the year 2012.” [Grill, 2/8/07]

Posted by Media Team on Friday, February 16, 2007

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COMMENTS

why is wal-mart watch in bed with wal-mart? how duplicitous!

Kelly in
Friday, February 16 at 05:42 PM

What a joke… Walmartwatch has either SOLD OUT or lost its mind.

From this moment on, I would distrust all that’s published on this site. excluding this comment, of course.

Matt in
Friday, February 16 at 05:54 PM

serious insanity! what a joke this organization has become. does wal-mart actually pay all of your bills?

what side are you on?

Jenni in
Friday, February 16 at 06:03 PM

Now you people are showing your ‘true colors’, with the above comments. I thought the goal of Wal-Mart Watch, was to help Wal-Mart solve the problems, between them and their employees in regards to wages and healthcare? Wal-Mart has since supported the minimum wage increase and has now agreed to work with Wal-Mart Watch, to find ways to fix the healthcare problems. But, it seems that is not really what some people really want here, they want continous conflict, not change!!!

I assure you, Wal-Mart Watch, is not in bed with Wal-Mart, they are just trying to nogotiate a better way of getting things done, after all, isn’t that what they do? They probably hope that if they can get closer to Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart might just soften up enough to allow the union to represent their employees.

Bob in
Friday, February 16 at 11:46 PM

Andy Stern (Service Employees Intl. President) being bamboozled by Big Box Lee, (believe my rhetoric not my actions), Scott.

History is littered with brilliant minds that belived the lie.

What ever happened to Colin Powell?

John Nunes in San Ramon, CA
Friday, February 16 at 11:59 PM

Kelly, Matt, Jenni......all from nowhere.
Interesting that you are all within minutes of each others post.

Nice plant of fake posts Walmart supporters!

R E M E M B E R
J O N Q U I E R E
Q U E B E C
Home of Walmart Worker Abuse.
We will NEVER forget what you did Walmart.
Never.

Alex in Ontario, Canada
Saturday, February 17 at 05:07 PM

Paranoia strikes deep into your life it will creep.

Peace

Tony Smith in Indianapolis, IN
Monday, February 19 at 11:46 PM

“Just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean I’m not being followed”.

DAVE SMITH
PROUD UNION IRONWORKER

IRONHEAD in Oklahoma City
Tuesday, February 20 at 12:54 AM

Tony,

Notice how Dave knew exactly who you were talking about? He sees a boogey man hiding in every bush!!!

Bob in
Tuesday, February 20 at 11:32 AM

Boob

It’s just anouther one of the pro wm bloggers ploys to try to discredit any one that they don’t agree with. Call them a conspisicy therorist. I knew that it wouldn’t take long before one of those digs popped up . Sure enough there it was. The only reason that it hadn’t happened sooner was because I had posted about it happening on anouther subject on this page. This only prooves my point. Thank you both!!!!!

DAVE SMITH
PROUD UNION IRONWORKER

IRONHEAD in Oklahoma City
Tuesday, February 20 at 02:10 PM

Well Dave, if the shoe fits. I love how predictable you are in crying about being called conspiracy theorists, etc. Unfortunately, none of that was said, I just pointed out some obvious paranoia on Alex part.

On a side note that I’m sure you’ll love. I custom ordered some shoes the other day and guess where they were made? You already know the answer, anyway, they are of good quality and only took 4 days to arrive. You’ve gotta love FedEx, of course i’m sure you’ve got some reason to hate them too.

Peace

Tony Smith in Indianapolis, IN
Tuesday, February 20 at 05:35 PM

Tony

“Well Dave, if the shoe fits. I love how predictable you are in crying about being called conspiracy theorists, etc. Unfortunately, none of that was said, I just pointed out some obvious paranoia on Alex part”.

None of that was said, no, not in this post but you have said it many times in previous posts. In this one you only elude to it, but thats only because thats your way. Your to much of a CHICKEN SHIT to just come right out with it. Just like when you come to Bushes defence at every opportunity then say I never said that I suport him. NO BACKBONE TONY. Your posts are truly cowardly.

By the way Tony, it surly strikes me as hypocritical as hell on your part, to use a quote from a civil rights song to help make your FASCIST arguments. Heres some more from that song......"stop children, whats that sound, every body look whats going down. Paranoia strikes deap, into your HEART it will creep. It starts when your always afraid, get out of line, the man comes, and carries you away”........GREAT civil rights song. Power to the people.

DAVE SMITH
PROUD UNION IRONWORKER

IRONHEAD in Oklahoma City
Tuesday, February 20 at 06:07 PM

Hey Tony
Thanks for the laugh.

Peace and as always:

R E M E M B E R
J O N Q U I E R E
Q U E B E C
Home of Walmart Worker Abuse.

Alex in Ontario, Canada
Tuesday, February 20 at 06:13 PM

“Just like when you come to Bushes defence at every opportunity”

I forgot to a narrow minded fool such as your self not jumping on the bash Bush bandwagon is equal to defense of Bush. Yes, I have defended him against your irrational maniacal hatred. There are plenty of legit reasons to not like Bush, but you want to blame the man for absolutely everything. If you stub your toe you believe its Bush’s fault. That mindset is absolutely crazy but irrational hatred isn’t about being sane is it. You should look into Klan membership I believe they deal in irrational hatred as well.

“civil rights song to help make your FASCIST arguments”

1) It’s more of an anti-war movement song, but whatever
2) I forgot that pointing out someone is paranoid obviously makes me a fascist. I sure wish when they give out the liberal buzzword of the week they’d give you some damn definitions to go along with it. By the way I’m sure your not astute enough to pick up on the fact that politically I lean libertarian, which is quite a bit different than fascism. You would know that though if you knew the definition of fascism.

“Paranoia strikes deap, into your HEART it will creep”

If your going to put a word in all caps at least make sure its the right lyric. Life is the correct lyric not heart.

Peace

Tony Smith in Indianapolis, IN
Wednesday, February 21 at 12:23 AM

Tony,

Don’t you know that everything we say, is Right-Wing Propaganda!! Also, Dave knows everything you mean, even though you didn’t say it, he has ESP? And, even if you did say something, he would turn it into what he thought you said!!! As for Bush and Wal-Mart, they both can never do anything right, they both are ALWAYS wrong!!!

BTW: Did you get your check on time, mine was late, Wal-Mart must be trying to screw us!!! Is there a union for PAID Wal-Mart Bloggers!!!

Bob in
Wednesday, February 21 at 12:41 AM

Wal-Mart and it’s supporters are all about laizes faire free enterprise until there’s a chance to foist off some of their responsibilities onto the government.

A fellow blogger by the name of Russ said it better than I could:

Like many large corporations, Walmart’s profits are so intertwined with federal benefit programs, I don’t think a “free-market” defense of Walmart is even possible.

Ken V in Texas
Wednesday, February 21 at 02:44 PM

Ken

“Like many large corporations, Walmart’s profits are so intertwined with federal benefit programs, I don’t think a “free-market” defense of Walmart is even possible.”

This is only true if you believe that Wal-Mart has a legal obligation to provide anything beyond minimum wage to its employees. Show me the law that says this and I will concede that Wal-Mart is taking advantage of federal benefit programs. I know that you will not show me this law because it doesn’t exist. The formula, then, is this:

Wal-Mart must provide $5.15 per hour to employees. It pays an “average” wage of about $9.68 but I’ll concede that the median is probably closer to $8.00. Let’s even use $7.15. Now, take 1.4 million employees working an average of 24 hours per week. If you do the math, you will see that Wal-Mart pays employees nearly $3.5 BILLION more per year than required by law. This is just over 29% of Wal-Mart’s 2006 profit. Throw in payroll taxes generated (roughly 14%) and that is an additional $490 million. Then, use this number. Wal-Mart spent more than $4.5 BILLION on employee benefits in 2005.

Now, since we have concluded that Wal-Mart is only LEGALLY and MORALLY obligated to pay $5.15 per hour, it is clear to any rational person that Wal-Mart, in 2006, paid out nearly $8.5 BILLION more than they were required to by law. I don’t know how you see this is taking advantage of federal benefit programs. Wal-Mart’s additional expenditure has everything to do with attracting workers at a price that they can afford. The free market has dictated that 1.4 million employees will cost Wal-Mart $8.5 BILLION per year more than the law requires.

Taking advantage of federal benefits programs? Sure.....

EllisW in
Friday, February 23 at 01:24 PM

The free market has dictated that 1.4 million employees will cost Wal-Mart $8.5 BILLION per year more than the law requires.

And even that may not be enough:

Wal-Mart baffled by lack of applications

EDINBURG — The 400 open jobs at the new Super Wal-Mart were expected to attract a block-circling line of applicants, especially in an area with one of the highest unemployment rates in the state.

Yet, in the two weeks since the open positions were first advertised, managers at the retail giant have been twiddling their thumbs, wondering why the droves of hopeful Wal-Mart employees that cities like Oakland, Calif., attracted in the past week are not so in Edinburg.

“There is a theoretical answer to this,” said Dr. Alberto Davila, chair of the University Texas-Pan American’s Department of Economics and Finance. “If you don’t have as many workers as you would like, maybe the wages you are offering aren’t as high as they should be.”

Ellis also wrote:Taking advantage of federal benefits programs? Sure.....

I hope this means you will finally give up the ridiculous argument that Wal-Mart is all about free enterprise. Modified socialism at best.

Ken V in Texas
Friday, February 23 at 02:06 PM

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