Bipartisan Lawmakers Seek to Break Up Giant Health Care Conglomerates

Published On Dec 11, 2024, 12:18 PM

New bipartisan legislation aims to dismantle the control that health care giants like UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health, and Cigna have over pharmacy benefit managers and retail pharmacies. The proposed bills would require these companies to divest their pharmacy businesses, responding to concerns about rising drug costs and market manipulation by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Although previous attempts at reform have stalled, there is renewed pressure from lawmakers to address these issues.

Stock Forecasts

The proposed legislation poses a significant threat to the business models of major health care companies that operate as both insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. If passed, this could lead to substantial operational changes for CVS Health, UnitedHealth Group, and Cigna, adversely impacting their stock prices.

UnitedHealth Group, being a major player in both insurance and pharmacy benefit management, is likely to face increased regulatory pressure and potentially reduced market power. The divestiture of its pharmacy businesses could negatively affect its revenue streams, making it a candidate for negative stock performance.

Cigna, similarly positioned within the market as both an insurer and pharmacy manager, could be impacted negatively if the legislation passes. Investors should prepare for potential declines in stock value due to regulatory uncertainties.

Related News

Luigi Mangione, who has been detained as a suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, previously worked as a data engineer at TrueCar until 2023.

The murder of a health insurance CEO is no way to address legitimate problems with coverage. There's plenty we can do, though.

UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty said in a leaked internal video that the insurance company plays an important role in guarding against "unnecessary" and "unsafe" care.