States eye fees for large companies with workers on Medicaid

As states grapple with rising uninsured rates and strained safety net programs, some Democrats are dusting off a dormant idea: requiring large corporations such as Amazon and Walmart to help cover the cost of workers who rely on public benefits.

The concept gained renewed national attention last week when New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill proposed fines for large employers who don’t offer health insurance and have 50 or more workers on Medicaid.