Senators Allege UnitedHealth Withholding Documents in Inquiry
Senators Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren have accused UnitedHealth of refusing to hand over internal records related to its policies on nursing home resident hospital transfers. The senators launched an inquiry last summer after reports about UnitedHealth’s bonus payments to nursing homes that limit hospitalizations, a move that saves the insurer money. Despite repeated requests, UnitedHealth has provided only brief answers and no internal documents, prompting the senators to renew their inquiry with heightened concern. This comes after reports of deaths related to the company’s nursing home care program, as families have filed lawsuits alleging that UnitedHealth delayed or denied necessary medical care to increase profits.
John Q. Hosedrinker