[tobyhill]

“Earlier this week, construction and mining equipments maker Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) that it will take a after-tax charge of $100 million in the first quarter due to the additional taxes to be levied following the new U.S. health-care legislation.”

In other words, Caterpillar is about to dump their health insurance plan for employees and take the fines instead.

[bert]

......Caterpillar is about to dump their health insurance plan for employees and take the fines instead. ......

It is too soon for that. This action apparently pertains to retirees only. The tax deduction for insurance for retiree drugs has been abolished.

It would seem to mean that retiree drug programs will be curtailed and picked up by Medicare.

That is my take