UnitedHealth cuts 4,000 jobs and 2008 outlook

UnitedHealth Group Inc. has announced a lower profit outlook, a restructuring that will trim 4,000 jobs, and a $900 million payout to settle a class-action lawsuit over options backdating. UnitedHealth, the nation's second-largest health insurer, said its restructuring would change operations on every level to focus more on regional coverage. Analysts saw the announcements as perhaps the end of a long rough patch for UnitedHealth.