Wal-Mart cashes in incentives, while many employees taking in medicaid

Sydney P. Freedburg and Connie Humburg of the St. Petersburg Times used state records to show that "Wal-Mart and four other large companies that receive state incentives have an estimated 29,900 employees or their family members enrolled in Medicaid. The figures suggest taxpayers may be double-subsidizing low-wage employment by paying companies to create jobs and by paying for the health care of some of those companies' employees." Along with Wal-Mart, Publix Super Markets, Winn-Dixie Stores, Burger King Corp. and Walgreen Co. have the most employees eligible for health care financed by Florida. "Combined, these five firms have been approved by the state for up to $10.8-million in tax credits and tax refunds for at least 3,805 jobs."