The Gist Healthcare Podcast Friday, May 23, 2025
May 23, 2025
Investment banks are downgrading UnitedHealth Group due to a mix of challenges, including leadership changes and a criminal inquiry. The FDA has tightened COVID-19 vaccine access for at-risk groups as demand wanes. There's also new legislation affecting weight loss drugs, as Cigna's Evernorth sets cost caps to help members. Finally, a federal court has halted proposed funding cuts, impacting healthcare delivery across the board.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
UnitedHealth's Ongoing Challenges
- UnitedHealth Group faces stock downgrades due to DOJ criminal investigation and CEO departure.
- Its insurance and care divisions struggle with rising costs and policy impacts, causing uncertainty.
FDA Limits COVID-19 Booster Eligibility
- FDA restricts COVID-19 boosters to seniors and high-risk groups, requiring new trials for others.
- This aligns US policy with other high-income countries and addresses low booster demand.
FDA Updates Vaccine Heart Risks
- FDA mandates Pfizer and Moderna update labels to warn of myocarditis risk in youth after mRNA shots.
- Post-approval studies show some heart inflammation may persist months after vaccination.