Reports blast 'double-dipping' by Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which has reaped millions of dollars in government subsidies to expand its operations in Florida, is potentially the state's biggest user of the Medicaid system. The nation's largest employer and grocery retailer, which constantly battles allegations of substandard employee wages and benefits, has more Medicaid-eligible employees and/or dependents than any company in Florida, according to the state Department of Children & Families.

The company has 12,300 Medicaid-eligible employees in the state -- more than 13 percent of its 92,812 Florida workers. About 2.2 million Floridians -- mainly low-income families, children, the disabled and the elderly -- are enrolled in Medicaid. The state's Medicaid budget is $14.7 billion for 2004-2005, having nearly doubled from $7.8 billion for 1999-2000.