Casey Ross

Data on Humana’s clinics looked dismal. Then its corporate research machine got to work STAT investigation: Internal documents show how Humana is reshaping the debate over Medicare Advantage.

Internal Humana research revealed its primary care practices were not doing v well compared to similar clinics. 6 wks later, execs told investors the opposite.

Our latest investigation into research distortions in Medicare Advantage: www.statnews.com/2025/12/16/i...

How RFK Jr., America's celebrity health secretary, is steamrolling science RFK Jr. is plowing ahead with sweeping changes to U.S. health care that have thrilled supporters, purged opponents, and horrified critics.

As HHS secretary, RFK Jr. has pledged to pursue gold-standard science, preserve access to vaccines, and insist on radical transparency in policymaking.

Here is our examination of his tenure to date:

www.statnews.com/2025/11/18/r... via @statnews.com

At the #STATSummit, former NIH National Human Genome Research Institute director Eric Green talks to STAT’s @aniloza.bsky.social about the cuts at the NIH.

“There’s no reason to think we’ve bottomed out,” he said. “We can’t rebuild until we know what we even have left.”

Baby KJ at STAT summit in a full tux 🥺🥺🥺

Incredibly honored to win an Edward R. Murrow Award! To be associated with that name, and all the amazing journalists who won this year, is something I’ll never forget.

Thank you @rtdna.bsky.social!!!

www.rtf a.org/news/rtdna-announces-2025-edward-r-murrow-award-national-winners

Inside the research machine that helps UnitedHealth protect its Medicare profits A STAT Investigation: Inside the research machine that helps UnitedHealth protect its Medicare profits.

Our latest story on UnitedHealth Group examines how its research distorts the body of evidence on Medicare Advantage, a highly profitable line of business.

www.statnews.com/2025/08/11/u... via @statnews.com

Inside the research machine that helps UnitedHealth protect its Medicare profits A STAT Investigation: Inside the research machine that helps UnitedHealth protect its Medicare profits.

A look inside the ways UnitedHealth is able to control research into the Medicare Advantage program, from @bobjherman.bsky.social, @caseyross.bsky.social, @tarabannow.bsky.social and me: www.statnews.com/2025/08/11/u...

MAGA influencers take a sudden interest in Medicare Advantage reforms, echoing a dark money group It's not clear why right wing influencers are suddenly pushing back against Medicare reforms.

MAGA influencers are attacking Republicans with tweets supporting Medicare Advantage — and some of the language is almost verbatim from a dark money group called the Medicare Advantage Majority. Lawmakers are pissed. @caseyross.bsky.social and John Wilkerson dig in: www.statnews.com/2025/08/01/m...

MAGA influencers take a sudden interest in Medicare Advantage reforms, echoing a dark money group It's not clear why right wing influencers are suddenly pushing back against Medicare reforms.

MAGA influencers take a sudden interest in Medicare Advantage reforms, echoing a dark money group www.statnews.com/2025/08/01/m... via @statnews.com

Scripps Howard Fund announces winners of 72nd Scripps Howard Journalism Awards - Scripps The winners of the 72nd Scripps Howard Journalism Awards exemplify the power of journalism in bringing to light critical societal issues. From revelations of financial mismanagement in a global hospit...

I want to offer my sincerest thanks to @ewscrippsco.bsky.social for honoring our series of stories about UnitedHealth Group.

I cannot think of a time when investigative journalism was more important, and I'm so pleased to be in the company of these stellar works.

scripps.com/fund/news/sc...

Internal document shows how UnitedHealth executives prepared to tamp down investor unrest An internal document reveals how UnitedHealth Group's leadership prepared to downplay complaints about its business practices at a shareholder meeting

This internal UnitedHealth document landed in my inbox -- mistakenly -- and we decided to write about it. It details a pretty extraordinary chain of events... both with regard to the United's many challenges, and its handling of the doc itself.

www.statnews.com/2025/06/04/u... via @statnews.com

UnitedHealth’s Optum working on Medicare risk scoring system that would use AI UnitedHealth’s Optum working on Medicare risk scoring system that would use artificial intelligence.

Scoop from @bobjherman.bsky.social:

UnitedHealth, facing multiple investigations related to its collection of Medicare risk-adjustment money, is working on a new risk scoring system using AI.

And it's already generated interest from Trump admin.

www.statnews.com/2025/05/16/u... via @statnews.com

Today at #STATBreakkthrough Summit former FDA commissioner squarely confronted HHS Sec. RFK Jr's equivocations on the importance of vaccination.

UnitedHealth stock tumbles as CEO resigns, 2025 outlook pulled UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty stepped down and the company suspended its 2025 outlook.

Huge news: Andrew Witty is out at UnitedHealth Group after a tumultuous four-year tenure. The company is going back to the man who built it into the sprawling, profit-hunting conglomerate it is today: Stephen Hemsley. www.statnews.com/2025/05/13/s...

UnitedHealth stock tumbles as CEO resigns, 2025 outlook pulled UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty stepped down and the company suspended its 2025 outlook.

UnitedHealth stock tumbles as CEO resigns, 2025 outlook pulled www.statnews.com/2025/05/13/s... via @statnews.com

Elizabeth Holmes rises again — or at least her partner does The emergence of Haemanthus, a company formed by Elizabeth Holmes’ partner, Billy Evans, triggered a mix of shock, anger, and rueful skepticism.

Elizabeth Holmes rises again — or at least her partner does. Story via me and @caseyross.bsky.social for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/05/12/e...

Autism evaluations are being canceled over fears about a national registry Fears of landing on a federal list prompts parents, and adults, to cancel autism screening evaluations.

Well, this is a tough one.
Autism evaluations are being canceled over fears about a national registry

@rosebroderick.bsky.social has the story in @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/05/01/a...

Scripps Howard Awards | Fund | Scripps The Scripps Howard Fund's Scripps Howard Awards honor the best of American journalism. Learn more about the Scripps Howard Awards.

Huge thanks to @ewscrippsco.bsky.social for naming @statnews.com's health care's colossus series as a finalist for its award for excellence in national and international investigative reporting.

It's really a thrill to be in the company of such amazing journalists!

scripps.com/fund/journal...

This health tech exec is in charge of Medicare, and he has big ambitions A close look at Chris Klomp's path to the top of Medicare, which pays for the health care of 68 million Americans.

He's a faith-driven, 44-year-old health tech entrepreneur from Idaho who just got put in charge of Medicare.

Read about his ambitions to reform the ~$1 trillion program in this deeply-reported profile by @mariojoze.bsky.social, via @statnews.com:

www.statnews.com/2025/04/28/m... via @statnews.com

NIH grants plummeted $2.3 billion in Trump’s first months, as federal-academia partnership crumbles The NIH has scaled back its awards of new grants by at least $2.3 billion since the beginning of the year, a STAT analysis shows.

STAT is undertaking a project to examine the impact on science of the early months of the Trump administration.

This is crucial reporting by my colleagues @statnews.com who have been working nonstop to stay on top of this:

www.statnews.com/2025/04/24/t... via @statnews.com

UnitedHealth discloses $1.7 million in security spending after slaying of top exec UnitedHealth has come to be seen a symbol of the country’s dysfunctional health care system.

UnitedHealth discloses $1.7 million in security spending after slaying of top exec www.statnews.com/2025/04/21/u... via @statnews.com @bobjherman.bsky.social

In directives to federal agencies, Trump charts a different course for AI A closer look at how Trump's initial strategy for the use of artificial intelligence differs from Biden's approach.

Our analysis of memos Trump and Biden sent to executive agencies on the use of AI. Both urge civil rights protections, but Trump deletes the words "Bias" and "Diverse" -- two terms Biden used frequently in his instructions.

via @statnews.com:

www.statnews.com/2025/04/18/a... via @statnews.com

Device maker that helped UnitedHealth collect billions offers to settle fraud claims with DOJ Semler Scientific has offered to pay the Department of Justice nearly $30 million to settle federal health care fraud claims related to its peripheral artery disease test, QuantaFlo.

Scoop from @lizzylawrence.bsky.social: A device maker whose peripheral artery disease test was featured in our series on UnitedHealth Group has offered to pay $30 million to settle potential charges with DOJ.

Original story: tinyurl.com/mv78cf64

www.statnews.com/2025/04/16/s... via @statnews.com

Trump fired the top HHS watchdog. She says the future of health care oversight is grim if partisanship wins out Before Trump fired her, Christi Grimm's office had recovered $30 billion for taxpayers.

“You need to have IGs that have that independence, where they can’t be interfered with. And as Congress developed these laws, they’re precisely for that reason. You’re not meant to get rid of IGs...because their work is unpopular."

www.statnews.com/2025/04/11/f... via @statnews.com

Inside U.S. health agencies, workers confront chaos and questions as operations become unglued The Trump administration’s remaking of HHS — in a matter of weeks — is sparking basic questions about how parts of the agency and those it oversees can continue to function.

Reporters @statnews.com interviewed more than two dozen employees of federal health agencies about cutbacks sweeping through their offices.

Their findings detail critical supply shortages, confusion, and concern about preserving core functions:

www.statnews.com/2025/04/11/h... via @statnews.com

So sorry I missed it. My mistake. We’ll add a line to our story reflecting that you had it first.

Mayo Clinic taps former Biden administration official to oversee its use of AI Exclusive: Micky Tripathi, former top HHS official, to join Mayo Clinic as a senior executive overseeing implementation of AI.

SCOOP: Mayo Clinic taps former Biden administration official to oversee its use of AI www.statnews.com/2025/04/10/m... via @statnews.com

Republicans are proud of creating Medicare Advantage. Now some are urging reform amid runaway costs Republicans in Congress, long an unwavering source of support for privatized Medicare plans, are increasingly calling for reforms amid widespread evidence

'It's been manipulated': Republicans in Congress have long been a reliable source of support for Medicare Advantage. Now, amid mounting evidence of abuse by private insurers, some are saying it's time for a crack down.

via @statnews.com:

www.statnews.com/2025/04/08/r... via @statnews.com

Study shows how UnitedHealth uses coding to rake in extra cash from Medicare Advantage Health insurers in the Medicare Advantage business have a big incentive to diagnose their members with lots of health conditions.

“Medicare Advantage insurers pulled in an estimated $33 billion in additional payment from the government in 2021 as a result of these extra diagnoses, or codes, that made their members seem sicker…Almost $14 billion of that, or 42%, went to a single company: UnitedHealth…” shorturl.at/LH3s6

Inquiry by New York congressman reveals frustration over UnitedHealth practices in Hudson Valley A report by a New York congressman details consumer and employee grievances with UnitedHealth Group’s management of two medical groups

Breaking: A new report by US Rep. Pat Ryan details hundreds of consumer complaints about UnitedHealth practices in Hudson Valley.

Ryan wrote: "For anyone not convinced urgent change is needed, read every damn story below."

via @statnews.com:

www.statnews.com/2025/04/03/u... via @statnews.com