Wal-Mart's CEO asked the states to "work with him" to help develop a solution to rising healthcare costs during a speech at annual meeting the National Governor's Association. Wal Mart CEO Lee Scott said his much-criticized company is working to improve health coverage for workers and gave more details of the plan. More than 20 states have introduced legislation that would requires companies like Wal-Mart to provide insurance to their employees. Scott said Wal-Mart will do more to extend coverage to part-timers and their dependents.

- see this report [1] from the New York Times

PLUS: Medicare Part D is likely to remain a major issue during the NGA meetings. Many states want reassurances from Washington that they will be reimbursed in a timely fashion for expenses incurred during the program's bumpy launch. Article [2]