Walmart and health insurer Humana Inc. launched a rewards program that
provides a five percent credit for buying healthy foods including lean meats and
poultry.
Walmart customers who are members of a Humana healthy rewards program
will get the credit, which can be used on future Walmart purchases, for buying
products —including meats, fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy items and
packaged foods — that qualify for the company’s Great For You icon. The
program begins Oct. 15.
Needless to say, the program does not apply in Canada. We pay for our health care through taxes, not premiums to private companies such as Humana.
Besides, I can just imagine the lobbying if Canadian provinces, which run medicare, ever decided to subsidize healthy foods. It's one good reason why I think it's wise for Canadian governments to steer clear of school lunch and food bank programs.
Cash for people in poverty makes far more sense. And speaking of that, a new report from Toronto indicates that many of the people who use food banks there have less than $5.50 a day left after they pay rent. That $5.50 has to cover food, transportation, clothing, etc.
And to think that it took pressure from the NDP to simply add a bit of income tax to the wealthiest people in the province. Shame! Shame!
Walmart said it was responding to research that shows consumers often
struggle to purchase healthier foods due to price.
