Wal-Mart Backs Obama's Health Care Plan

Wal-Mart Stores(WMT Quote) is backing parts of President Barack Obama's push for universal health care.

The big-box discounter, a traditionally right-leaning business, said it supports requiring employers to offer health insurance to workers, an integral part of President Obama's goal to provide near-universal coverage to Americans.

"We are for an employer mandate which is fair and broad in its coverage," Wal-Mart said in a letter to congressional and administration officials. "Any alternative to an employer mandate should not create barriers to hiring entry-level employees."

That was a reference to some proposals in Congress to have employers pay the Medicaid costs of new hires. Critics say that would discourage the hiring of low-income people. ...