Dive Brief:

• Wal-Mart announced Tuesday that the company will be cutting health insurance coverage for most of its part-time employees in the U.S. starting the beginning of next year. 
• The decision will affect 30,000 employees that work less than an average 30 hours a week. 
• Wal-Mart currently employs around 1.4 million workers, both full and part-time, with 1.2 million employees and family members participating in its health care plan. 

Dive Insight:

Wal-Mart is one of the last major retailers to cut health insurance for its part-time employees: 62% of large retail chains didn't offer their part-time workers benefits in 2013, up from 56% in 2009. The retailer is also implementing changes to its health insurance plan for full-time workers, increasing premiums starting Jan. 1.