LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A coalition of organizations that includes Wal-Mart Stores issued a challenge here Friday to business, labor and political leaders to commit to resolving the nation’s health care system within the next four years. Otherwise, the number of uninsured people by 2012 will climb by 7 million and the costs businesses pay for benefits will rise by 55%, according to Better Health Care Together, which was founded a year ago to develop “a common-sense approach to health care,” according to the group. In a report presented at a regional health care conference here, the coalition did not advocate any specific solutions but said tackling health care costs “must be a top priority for the nation's business and political leaders. Strong, organized and diverse leadership is necessary to repair America’s broken health care system. Through the use of our collective resources and efforts, the coalition aims to achieve universal awareness of the need for health care reform by 2012.” Speaking at the conference, Arkansas’ two U.S. senators echoed the need for reforms. “True health care reform will require all sectors of our society — policymakers, businesses and individuals — to work together to ensure a healthy future for all Americans,” Sen. Blanche Lincoln said. According to Sen. Mark Pryor, “We must come together, take the best ideas and implement them before the health care crisis in this country worsens.”

Read More of Today's Headlines