Wal-Mart Healthcare Law Is Struck Down

A first-of-its-kind state law that would have required Wal-Mart to spend more on employee healthcare in Maryland is invalid under federal law, a judge ruled.

The state law would have required nongovernmental employers with 10,000 or more workers to spend at least 8% of payroll on healthcare or pay the difference in taxes.

The measure was aimed at Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which has been under attack by critics who say that its inadequate healthcare offering is forcing some employees to use state-funded plans.