As health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs climb, many Americans are noticing that major insurance companies seem to be focusing more on promoting gender ideology and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives rather than addressing these rising costs. My family’s health insurance premiums, for instance, have seen a hefty increase, and this trend reflects a broader rise in healthcare costs spurred by higher prescription drug prices, increased usage, growing hospital fees, and a rise in chronic illnesses. At the same time, there’s been a noted uptick in denial rates for prescription drugs from big players like UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, and Anthem.
With these issues growing, insurance companies are facing closer regulation for improperly billing federal health programs and denying essential treatments. “While patients are struggling, insurance executives seem to be more focused on ESG, extreme climate policies, DEI initiatives, and promoting transgender rights,” noted Will Hild, the executive director of consumer research. “Insurance firms should be about managing risks and aiding Americans in getting proper care, rather than engaging in political activism that leaves consumers in a tougher spot.”
UnitedHealth Group, America’s largest health insurer, has openly championed a variety of DEI initiatives and gender-related programs, all while under increased federal scrutiny. In 2025, the company earned a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, which grades firms based on protections for LGBTQ employees and the availability of comprehensive benefits that cover necessary medical care for transgender individuals.
UnitedHealthcare’s plans include resources for LGBTQ patients, notably The Trevor Project, a group that has faced criticism for its approach to advising minors about gender identity. The company also provides guidelines that suggest even very young children can possess a “strong sense” of gender, urging families to seek “affirming” healthcare providers if their children have questions about their gender identity.
Furthermore, many plans under UnitedHealthcare cover hormone therapy and surgical options linked to gender reassignment. The Trump administration made moves to prevent federal funds from being allocated to such gender reassignment procedures for minors, while various states have enacted regulations against excluding transgender care from private plans.
UnitedHealth has also committed to various climate goals, aiming for net-zero operational emissions by 2035. During the company’s 2025 Annual Board Meeting, it was stated that they would keep adjusting DEI policies to reflect new regulations while addressing community needs, even as they encounter legal and regulatory hurdles.
The Department of Justice launched a civil fraud probe into UnitedHealth’s practices regarding Medicare Advantage billing in early 2025, with findings suggesting possible manipulation of the system to inflate payments. “It looks like UnitedHealth Group might be exploiting the system for profit. Taxpayers and patients deserve transparency and honesty in risk assessments,” commented Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, who leads the Judiciary Committee.
Similarly, CVS Health has persistently advanced its health equity and ESG initiatives, despite facing hefty fines for billing errors. Under CEO David Joyner, CVS describes its mission as fostering inclusion across a range of diversities, claiming it strives for a sense of belonging that leads to improved performance.
In 2024, CVS is set to receive URAC accreditation in health equity, aiming for a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign in 2025, but it has simultaneously settled claims in the hundreds of millions for improper billing practices. For example, CVS agreed to pay $37 million in December 2025 after claims related to overbilling for insulin prescriptions and also faced nearly $949 million in penalties for fraudulent billing practices through its Omnicare division.
Elevance Health, which used to be known as Anthem, also integrates ESG principles into its incentive structures. The company attained a near-perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign in 2025 for its workplace policies regarding LGBTQ employees, although it appears to have modified some of its DEI-focused policies recently. Previous reports indicate it’s aligning more with environmental commitments while downplaying DEI initiatives.
In 2025, the Department of Justice accused Elevance of illegal kickbacks exceeding $230 million to insurance brokers to funnel Medicare beneficiaries into its plans. Since President Trump’s administration began, there have been significant efforts to eliminate identity-based preferences in employment practices, with the Department of Justice regarding various companies’ DEI programs, though insurance companies don’t seem to be under direct investigation.
The issue of rising health care costs is indeed pressing, with both political parties pushing for solutions as midterm elections approach. However, Hild remarks that the overall trend indicates insurers aren’t sufficiently prioritizing affordability or patient care. “Families are now spending more than ever on insurance but often don’t get coverage when it’s critically needed,” he concluded. “Instead of enhancing systems for consumers, insurers are pushing political agendas that do little to make healthcare more accessible or affordable.”
CEOs from UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health, Elevance Health, Cigna Group, and Ascensus are scheduled to appear before the House Ways and Means Committee to discuss the role of insurers in healthcare affordability. Requests for comments from UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health, and Elevance Health remained unanswered.
