Jul. 23, 2009 (United Press International) -- Despite intense lobbying efforts against national healthcare reform, signs indicate that employers generally say they are divided on the issue.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce warned in an ad campaign this week that Democratic bills on healthcare would lead to a government takeover of the health system.

But, at the same time, Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) was on record supporting a mandate on employers to provide health insurance, as was the temp firm Kelly Services. (NASDAQ:KELYA) which employs thousands, The Washington Post said.

Small and medium businesses also had a diversity of opinion, though less noted, with a wait and see approach.

U.S. President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats face formidable obstacles to their reform efforts, but this time around businesspeople seem not as inclined to fight the reform on a grass roots level as before.