Compliance February 16, 2006
Wal-Mart Bill Collapses In New Hampshire House Vote
February 16, 2006 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Lawmakers in
New Hampshire killed a bill Wednesday that would have
required companies with more than 1,500 employees to make no
less than 6% contributions to their employees' health
care plans.
Reported by PS
The House voted 212-128 to defeat a measure that was primarily aimed at Wal-Mart, Inc. which employs 8,772 in the state, but would have also affected several grocery chains, the state’s larger hospitals and major manufacturers, the Associated Press reported.
New Hampshire ‘s version of the bill would have required employers with more than 1,500 workers to spend 8% , if a for-profit entity, or 6% , if a nonprofit, on employee health care (See HB 1704 ). If the amount was less, the business or nonprofit would have been required to contribute the difference into a health care fund to help pay for care for the poor.The bill was modeled after a law that passed last month in Maryland (See Veto of ‘Wal-Mart bill’ Overridden In MD Senate ). A similar measure in Kentucky is still being considered by that state’s lawmakers (See Kentucky Move s Closer To Adopting ‘Wal-Mart Bill’ ).
– Adrien Martin