Legislation that soon will be introduced in the General Assembly would require the state to publish annually the names of companies with the most employees receiving Medicaid and other government subsidies.

Supporters of the proposal say they hope the report will build public pressure on the corporations to improve benefits provided to their workers.

According to figures from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Wal-Mart has the most employees relying on tax-funded health care, with more than 15,000 on Medicaid.

McDonald's ranked second with nearly 13,000 employees covered by Medicaid, the federal-state health-care program for the poor and disabled.

At a news conference in Columbus yesterday, Democratic lawmakers and union members said Ohio taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize profitable companies.

"The state of Ohio cannot afford to pick up the cost of corporate irresponsibility," said Rep. Dan Stewart, D-Columbus.

Rep. Kenny Yuko, D-Richmond Heights, blasted the corporations, calling their behavior "shameful" and yet another example of "corporate greed."

"It's a sin for us to treat our work force like this," Yuko said.

Wal-Mart, which has topped such lists in nearly two dozen states, says it offers some of the best health-care coverage in the retail industry.

"We have 94.5 percent of our associates (with) health-care coverage from either the company or through a spouse or parent," said Greg Rossiter, a spokesman for Wal-Mart, based in Bentonville, Ark.

"We've made significant strides in getting our associates covered."

He said full-time employees -- those working at least 30 hours per week -- are eligible for health coverage after six months on the job, and part-time employees must wait one year. Single employees must contribute $10 from their bi-weekly pay toward insurance. Family coverage is $25.

The company employs 58,000 Ohioans, making it the top employer in the state.

The information the bill would require to be publicized already is a public record and available on request from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which oversees the state Medicaid program.

Supporters, however, say that most Ohioans are unaware such data exist and the information should not be available only through a public-records request.

ccandisky@dispatch.com