UnitedHealth is trying to arrange a meeting with President Trump, but so far has not been able to do so, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal on Sunday.
This push is part of a broader effort to step up lobbying in Washington, DC, especially among leading health insurance companies facing numerous regulatory hurdles right now.
UnitedHealth is grappling with high costs and federal probes, including criminal investigations related to Medicare claims practices. This situation has led to a roughly 30% drop in stock prices this year. Stephen Hemsley, who returned as CEO in May after Andrew Whitty’s departure, aims to regain investors’ confidence.
Recently, Hemsley had a meeting with Trump’s Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, but sources from the White House indicated that the ongoing criminal investigation didn’t come up during their discussion.
The Wall Street Journal added that their conversation included the Medicare Health Insurance Program for the Elderly and Disabled, along with various other topics highlighted by White House officials.
Additionally, Hemsley had dinner with Chris Cromp, who is in charge of Medicare, over the summer. They talked about billing practices and added benefits for Medicare plans available through private insurance options, as reported by the outlet.
In response to a Reuters inquiry, UnitedHealth stated that it feels it’s essential to engage with both the administration and Congress to shape healthcare in the U.S. They emphasized the importance of this engagement, particularly given the significant decisions currently in play.
A spokesperson for the White House, Kush Desai, mentioned that the Trump administration’s goal is to meet regularly with insurance companies to enhance healthcare for Americans and work towards lowering costs.
