Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish a Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP) in every state to compete as a nonprofit-like entity against health care insurers.

FORBES: CO-OP Health Plans A Fiscal Cliff Victim

Thursday, Treasury Undersecretary Robert Steel was quoted at a meeting of Wall Street analysts as saying the department was monitoring the situation but didn't plan to directly intervene, calling it a "private market-oriented" situation.

FORBES: Washington To Bond Insurers: Don't Expect A Bailout

Since Wal-Mart claims to be a value oriented chain, it is interesting that Wal-Mart is not offering a similar plan for Nokia high-end phones.

FORBES: Might Be Tough For Apple To Stay Cool In Wal-Mart Discount Bin

For example, it justifies the retention of Europe's biggest navy, and a plan to construct two giant aircraft-carriers, by stressing Britain's worldwide interests: a trade-oriented economy, with 10m citizens living overseas, 13 dependent territories and close ties to other Commonwealth states.

ECONOMIST: Defence