Wal-Mart expands worker health benefits

ATLANTA (Reuters) - Retail leader Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on Tuesday that it was expanding health benefits for workers, including offering a 2009 program that provides pre-pregnancy and child development services.

The company said a "Life With Baby" program in next year's benefits package would provide workers counseling with registered nurses through all phases of maternity.

It said that plan also includes expanded benefits such as periodontal cleanings to help prevent gum disease in mother and child, and a new program designed to stop smoking.

In a statement, the retailer said about 15,000 of its workers have babies each year.

Wal-Mart also said its 2009 health plan offerings would provide added preventive coverage such as mammograms, colonoscopies and flu vaccinations to workers.

Earlier this year, Wal-Mart said 92.7 percent of its employees have health-care coverage, including 50.2 percent who are covered by the retailer's plan. Wal-Mart has 1.4 million U.S. workers.

(Reporting by Karen Jacobs; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)