In a surprise move, the retail giant Wal-Mart says it supports government mandates on employers to either provide health insurance or directly defray the costs to workers. Wal-Mart has taken considerable heat in the past for providing poor employee benefits, including accusations of skimping on health care benefits.
This idea of "employer mandates" was one of the more controversial components of the comprehensive health reform package currently under hot debate in Congress.
Democrats who support full-throttle health reform - including a government-backed public insurance plan - say employer mandates will help pay for universal coverage and ensure continuing coverage for employees insured through their employer. Republicans and some trade groups say the mandate is an example of government intrusion and places too much of a burden on businesses.
Nevertheless, Wal-Mart chose to side with liberal Democrats and progressive groups, issuing a joint statement with the Center for American Progress and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU): "We are for an employer mandate which is fair and broad in its coverage, but any alternative to an employer mandate should not create barriers to hiring entry level employees. We look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to develop a requirement that is both sensible and equitable."
The timing of this statement could indicate that this an attempt by these three powerful entities to offer political cover to lawmakers who want the reform package to include employer mandates. It's a whole lot harder to say employer mandates will hurt big business when you have the Wal-Mart empire endorsing the concept.
Of course, it remains to be seen how firmly Wal-Mart will stay this course as the reform bill takes a more defined shape in Congress.