Wal-Mart has announced that it will be reducing health care coverage for part-time workers, and increasing premiums for most full-time workers. Those who work less than 24 hours a week will not qualify for the company's health care plan. Wal-Mart, the country's largest private employer, expanded its health coverage after facing criticisms. The company said that the changes are necessary because of costs. Premiums for some workers will increase more than 40%. Wal-Mart says that compared to its competitors, its plans are cheap and more generous.
See "Wal-Mart Cuts Some Health Care Benefits", Steven Greenhouse and Reed Abelson, The New York Times, October 20, 2011