Some amazing information has come to light regarding AT&T (ATT), Verizon (VZ), Caterpillar (CAT) and Deere & Co. (DE). It would seem that these companies (among a host of others, I'm sure) have initially determined that dropping health coverage for employees could significantly benefit their bottom lines, and thus benefit investors.

No Surprise Here

As reported by CNNMoney.com, when the health reform bill finally received the president's signature, many large companies began to assess the potential costs of the legislation. At the same time, much was made of the large write-downs that companies took in reaction to changes brought on by the new law.

Despite the heated politics, business owners need to have an understanding of President Obama's $940 billion health care plan. So, I've talked with various experts on the matter.

And while things are far from set, there are some general things to consider.

Insurance companies just bought themselves a year. Claiming that a proposed tax on health insurance would force them to charge higher premiums, carriers were able to convince senators to defer this particular measure for a year.

This comes as a benefit to UnitedHealth Group (UNH), WellPoint (WLP) and smaller companies writing health insurance policies. Manufacturers of medical devices have won some relief, as well, though the drug business didn't. An earlier plan to tax cosmetic medical procedures was also scrapped.

If the Senate's proposed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passes the Senate, the working stiff will probably be affected. A study by Mercer finds that 63% of employers would cut the health benefits they offer in order to avoid an excise tax included in the bill.

Mercer, a division of Marsh & McLennan Companies (MMC), reveals that 25% of employers offer health insurance programs that would be "too generous" under the act, making them subject to a 40% nondeductible tax on the excess value.

President Obama started an intense debate in recent months about national health care. People are concerned about how to pay for the high cost of health care in America and feel it is just too expensive. There has to be a better way!

I like oranges and I grew up in Wisconsin, but in January oranges do not grow very well in Wisconsin. I don't know why -- I am not a horticulturalist -- but maybe it's the lack of sunlight, hard frozen tundra, blowing snow or temperatures of 25 below zero. We could spend a long time pointlessly debating the actual reason.

How will President Obama's $825 billion plan to stimulate the economy work? It looks like it will create jobs for the people working on the projects. But how long will those jobs last and will they continue after the projects are over? And if there's something wrong with his plan, what would be a better alternative? I think that if these projects are investments that create revenue generating operations, they are worth doing -- especially if those revenues ultimately recoup the investment.

Here are some of the specific plan elements that I view as investments:

• Boost renewable energy supply. The plan seeks to double renewable energy generating capacity of over three years -- to power six million American homes. It would upgrade two million homes and 75% of all federal buildings to better protect against the heat and cold -- saving low-income homeowners $350 a year in utility costs and cutting government costs by $2 billion a year. It would also provide loan guarantees to boost the $100 billion in private sector investment in clean energy projects over three years.
• Upgrade 3,000 miles of transmission lines for a national electric grid to make more efficient use of energy.
• Build 1,300 waste-water projects which would provide an ongoing revenue source for cities and states and reduce the costs of cleaning up polluted water.

Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET) is recently down $1.72 to $48.80. The New York Attorney General is expected to announce an industry-wide investigation of healthcare insurance companies, according to Reuters.

AET March option implied volatility of 34 is above its 26-week average of 29 according Track Data, suggesting larger price fluctuations.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) wants to be your doctor -- sort of. The company plans to open hundreds of new clinics in its stores. They will be co-branded with medical groups and hospitals and some will be staffed by nurse practitioners.

"We have learned that people are willing to receive their health care from the front of a store or the back of a drugstore," Dr. John Agwunobi, a medical doctor who is a Wal-Mart senior vice president, told The New York TImes.

Several drug store chains have already gotten into the business, so Wal-Mart is not alone. Since many Wal-Mart customers do not have health insurance, the retailer may be able to take a big piece of the market with low pricing.

Wal-Mart and its partners do need to be concerned with malpractice issues. One reason medical costs are so high is large malpractice insurance rates. Some patients who sue doctors and hospitals do get large awards.

A huge company like Wal-Mart is a ready-made target for people unhappy with a poor treatment result.

Douglass McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) announced that a Special Litigation Committee (SLC) reached a settlement agreement with former CEO Dr. William W. McGuire.

SLC concluded all claims against all named defendants should be dismissed. Dr. McGuire will surrender UNH stock options worth approximately $320 million, interest in retirement plan valued at approximately $91 million, and $8 million in his executive savings plan. UNH has a market cap of $72 billion. UNH over all option implied volatility of 24 is near its 26-week average of 26 according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional risks.

Daily Options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com