The New York Times
reports that an employer in the retail sector is now thinking of “health benefits as as an investment in the work force rather than as a cost” and has committed to supporting universal health coverage.
“If workers are ‘healthy, they will do a better job at work, they’ll be more productive, they’ll be happier, nicer to…customers’…all of which results in less absenteeism and turnover, a longstanding problem in retailing.”
Which employer? Wal-Mart. Meanwhile, USA Today
reports in a cover story: “Traditional pensions are almost gone. Is employer-provided health insurance next?”
The percentage of people with health insurance through their employers — traditionally the way most people get coverage — is continuing to shrink, raising anxiety among workers and invigorating a debate about whether insurance should be tied to jobs.
Seems like progress to me. As employers recognize the value of health care coverage and agree to publicly support universal coverage, we’re moving forward on the road to a place where most agree that a government policy solution is a necessity.