AT&T will take $1B non-cash charge for health care


By BARBARA ORTUTAY, AP Technology Writer Barbara Ortutay, Ap Technology Writer – 24 mins ago
NEW YORK – AT&T Inc. will take a $1 billion non-cash accounting charge in the first quarter because of the health care overhaul and may cut benefits it offers to current and retired workers.
The charge is the largest disclosed so far. Earlier this week, AK Steel Corp., Caterpillar Inc., Deere & Co. and Valero Energy announced similar accounting charges, saying the health care law that President Barack Obama signed Tuesday will raise their expenses."


Doesn't sound free, if companies start dropping wages.