Good Question

I love Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart stores have great variety, a lot of brand-name merchandise at very low prices, and a generous returns policy.

I gather not everyone agrees with me.

Several friends will not shop at Wal-Mart, alleging that Wal-Mart exploits its workers. They point out the large numbers of Wal-Mart workers who receive no health insurance coverage from their employer. Kevin, at Always Low Prices, asks,

... why should employers be involved in the financing of their employees' healthcare at all? Private employers don't pay for employees' housing, education, food or recreation, so why healthcare?

very insightful.

Also, I expect that many Wal-Mart associates are covered by someone else's health insurance plan (spouse, partner, or parent).

On this same topic, if I were retired from General Motors, I might have preferred to be paid more and to choose my own health-care provider rather than be worried about whether my health care would be covered in the future. [h/t to BF for the GM link]

Would anyone like to make book on whether the U.S. gubmnt will bail out the GM workers' health care plan if necessary?

Update: The Emirates Economist has a good discussion of the General Motors situation here, near the end of the piece.