More Companies Sign on To Push Universal Coverage
Six major U.S. companies are joining a coalition led by Wal-Mart to support by 2012 a nationwide universal health care system, the Los Angeles Times reports (Los Angeles Times, 5/9).
The coalition, announced in February, also is led by the Service Employees International Union.
The purpose of the coalition, called Better Health Care Together, is to end the nation's reliance on employer-backed health insurance and develop a system for providing universal low-cost coverage within five years (California Healthline, 2/8).
New members of the coalition are:
- Embarq;
- General Mills;
- Maersk Line;
- Manpower;
- Qwest Communications International; and
- RR Donnelley.
Coalition leaders on Tuesday made the announcement at a lunch meeting in New York City where Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) discussed health care reform via satellite (Better Health Care Together release, 5/8). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.