An internal document drafted in advance of UnitedHealth Group's shareholder meeting this week reveals how the company's leadership — facing an extraordinary series of financial and legal challenges — sought to downplay complaints about its business practices and assure jittery investors that it will soon return to maximum profitability. The 18-page document, marked in red 'privileged and confidential,'' offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the nation's most powerful health care conglomerate as it endures arguably the most difficult stretch in its nearly 50-year history. The last six months have been punctuated by government investigations, a tanking stock price, and the brazen killing of a top executive on a Manhattan street before the annual investor conference last December. UnitedHealth's document, labeled as a draft and dated May 29, runs through manicured talking points apparently intended to coordinate the response to shareholders' questions. Specifically, the document shows how Stephen Hemsley, the company's longtime CEO and board chair who shies away from publicity, is navigating the leadership shakeup since retaking the reins last month. Investors have raised pointed concerns over his $60 million pay package. It also discusses missed revenue targets, a litany of lawsuits and federal investigations, and concerns revealed in reporting by STAT that the company uses AI and bureaucratic barriers to delay and deny care.
CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz defended President Trump’s 'big, beautiful bill' over criticism that millions of people could lose health coverage, saying those who would face new work requirements should 'prove that you matter.' Oz made the comments during an interview on Fox Business, arguing that when Medicaid was created in the 1960s lawmakers did not include work requirements because it 'never dawned on anybody that able-bodied people who work would be on Medicaid.'
Senate Republicans are eyeing possible Medicare provisions to help offset the cost of their megabill as they try to appease budget hawks who want more spending cuts embedded in the legislation.
As President Trump touts his own executive orders to lower drug prices, the Medicare drug price negotiations begun during the Biden administration are continuing behind the scenes. Two companies – Novo Nordisk and Amgen – confirmed to NPR that they had received opening price offers from the government, kicking off bargaining that could last through October.
In much the same way people can "chat" with large language models like GPT-4, Stanford Health Care clinicians can now interact with a patient's medical records through an artificial intelligence-backed software called ChatEHR.
Access to healthcare is a chronic and pressing challenge, especially in rural and underserved communities. Even in well-served metro areas, patients often struggle to get the care they need.