The Trump administration has asked the healthcare sector to recommend regulations that agencies should scrap or dial back.

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Health Care
Following a Thursday court hearing in Minneapolis, the lead plaintiff in the case says Eden Prairie-based company “took the employees’ wealth.”
By Christopher Snowbeck
A federal judge in Minneapolis said Thursday he would approve a $69 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging UnitedHealth Group depressed the retirement savings of workers for years by selecting poorly performing investment options in the company 401(k) plan.
The litigation alleged “the fix was in” to retain investment funds managed by California-based Wells Fargo, in order to protect UnitedHealth Group’s significant business relationship with the big bank, which was buying employee health insurance from the company’s UnitedHealthcare division.
Last year, Judge John Tunheim of the U.S. District Court of Minnesota said the case could move forward after determining “a reasonable trier of fact could easily find” that Kim Snyder, the lead plaintiff in the case, caught the Eden Prairie-based company “with its hand in the cookie jar.”
UnitedHealth Group issued a statement Thursday that while it denied any allegation that the company failed to act in the best interest of plan participants, “this settlement allows all parties to put this matter behind them and move on.”
The litigation unearthed a 2018 email in which Chief Financial Officer John Rex complained Wells Fargo was shifting its insurance business away from UnitedHealthcare, even though Rex had “stepped in front of a freight train” to maintain Wells Fargo as the default retirement investment fund despite recommendations from an internal committee.
Snyder knew none of this when she first brought the case, she said in an interview following Thursday’s court hearing for final settlement approval.
After losing her job about four years ago with the company’s Optum division, Snyder reviewed her retirement savings, she said, and started questioning why the investments hadn’t grown more. A Detroit resident, Snyder, 64, is a nurse who worked remotely for Optum’s pharmacy business.
“I think they took the employees’ wealth,” Snyder said. “They took advantage of that, when [workers] were giving them money to invest … and used it for their own purposes. That was the freight train that nobody knew about.”
Wells Fargo sold off its asset management business years ago.
As of Thursday afternoon, Tunheim had not yet issued final paperwork cementing the settlement, but he said from the bench he would sign proposed orders drafted by attorneys without major changes.
The draft called for lawyers to receive one-third of the settlement fund, or $23 million, plus reimbursement of $735,162 in costs. The rest will be distributed among hundreds of thousands of retirement plan holders.
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Health Care
Snyder, as the sole class representative, would also receive a service award of $50,000.
The $69 million settlement represents between 20% and 25% of likely potential recovery had plaintiffs prevailed in court, said Leigh Anne St Charles, a plaintiff attorney in Nashville who represented the class.
Only two out of more than 350,000 class members filed letters of objection to the settlement. Both asked the court to consider an alternate age-weighted distribution formula for payouts, St. Charles said, even though age and length of service already are implied factors in settlement distributions.
Each class member’s proportional share will be based in part on the balance they invested in certain Wells Fargo Target Date Funds at any time since April 23, 2015, according to a website with settlement details.
A settlement notice issued in the spring said class members don’t need to do anything to receive payment.
Current plan participants will receive their share in the form of a deposit into their plan accounts. Payments to former plan participants will be made directly by check unless they elect to receive funds via rollover to a qualified retirement account.
Snyder first filed her lawsuit in 2021.
In March 2024, Tunheim denied United’s push for summary judgment in the case, citing evidence that Rex requested “balance of trade” ledgers be produced showing how much business UnitedHealth Group conducted with Wells Fargo.
On one side of the ledger, UnitedHealth generated between $50 million and $60 million in revenue over four years as health insurance provider for Wells Fargo. On the other side, Wells provided substantial banking services to UnitedHealth, which was the bank’s “largest client and lifeline” in the market for target-date funds, the judge wrote.
The comparisons showed that, among the firms, UnitedHealth’s most profitable relationship was with Wells Fargo.
Christopher Snowbeck covers health insurers, including Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group, and the business of running hospitals and clinics.
Health Care
Health Care
All major individual market insurers are seeking double-digit rate increases for 2026 in market that’s often a bellwether for general premium trends.
The Good Life
The Good Life
“Demand is rising at the same point that supply is decreasing.”
Health Care
Health Care
Staff who provide data to the vaccine panel have been pushed aside, according to health officials, raising doubts about the availability and cost of some vaccines this fall.
Health Care
Health Care
All major individual market insurers are seeking double-digit rate increases for 2026 in market that’s often a bellwether for general premium trends.
© 2025 StarTribune.All rights reserved.

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A lawsuit that seeks to shed more light on a health coverage expansion program that would serve undocumented immigrants and other New Mexico residents who are otherwise considered uninsurable survived a legal challenge Tuesday.
Second Judicial District Judge Daniel Ramczyk denied a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which alleges the board of the New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool violated the state’s Open Meetings Act and Inspection of Public Records Act.
The suit was filed on behalf of businessman Duke Rodriguez, a former Cabinet secretary who is considering seeking the Republican nomination for governor, and Kristina Caffrey, his chief legal officer at Ultra Health, the state’s largest cannabis operation.
At issue is whether the insurance pool, which the Legislature established in 1987 to provide health coverage for patients with particularly complex and expensive medical needs, is a public body or a nonprofit.
In a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, attorney Carlos Padilla with the Albuquerque-based law firm Cuddy & McCarthy argued the insurance pool is a “nonprofit organization wholly independent of state government.”
“No Court has ever held that the NMMIP is subject to either the OMA or the IPRA and there exists no basis to do so now,” he wrote. “Indeed, while the NMMIP is committed to transparency, its general voluntary compliance with New Mexico’s ‘sunshine laws’ does not give rise to an actionable obligation. There is a critical and fundamental difference between a highly regulated nonprofit and an arm of the New Mexico state government.”
Padilla did not return a message seeking comment.
The case involves a controversial topic: providing health insurance to undocumented immigrants under a new coverage expansion program administered by the medical insurance pool, as well as a $1.75 million contract.
The coverage expansion program was scheduled to launch in July but was derailed in April amid questions about the organization’s status.
The New Mexico Health Care Authority handed the insurance pool a no-bid $1.75 million “governmental services agreement” for the “timely and efficient implementation” of the program in February.
The state initially defended the agreement, saying the government-to-government contract was “a permissible contracting and procurement vehicle.”
But amid lingering questions, the state abruptly terminated the deal, saying its decision came after learning the insurance pool is neither a governmental nor quasi-governmental agency.
Jacob Candelaria, a former state senator who is representing Rodriguez and Caffrey in the case, called the state agency’s reversal “a classic attempt at a movida.”
“They got their hands caught in the cookie jar,” he said.
The insurance pool’s acting executive director is former state Rep. Deborah Armstrong, an Albuquerque Democrat who is a friend and former business partner of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Armstrong is also the owner of a firm that oversees all of the insurance pool’s contractors, who provide the day-to-day work, under a separate executive services contract.
In an interview in April, Armstrong said the Health Care Authority apparently didn’t understand the medical insurance pool isn’t a government entity.
“We’re a unique organization,” she said. “There isn’t anything else quite like it or at all like it, being legislatively created, nonprofit and without hardly anything that would tie us directly to the government. But certainly, they have a governmental interest because they created it legislatively.”
Candelaria was skeptical, noting the “governmental services agreement” is between two units of government.
“The lawyers of the pool … admit that the pool is at the very minimum a quasi-governmental agency so they can enter into this kind of agreement for procurement while at the same time going to court and saying, ‘We’re not a public body. You can’t force IPRA and the OMA,’ ” he said.
“So what does the Health Care Authority do?” he added. “The Health Care Authority then turns around and cancels the contract, saying, ‘Oh, it looks like you’re not actually a public agency.’
“Give me a break,” Candelaria said. “Really? These are incredibly highly paid state bureaucrats dealing with public procurement in the millions of dollars. … So that’s what’s at stake here. Ultimately, it’s money.”
Follow Daniel J. Chacón on Twitter @danieljchacon.
Debbie Armstrong
The decision to terminate comes amid lingering questions about the lucrative deal and why the contract wasn’t put out to bid.
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Researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) have suggested that acute stress may impair key brain functions involved in managing emotions — particularly in people living with distress-related disorders. Their work has been published in the Journal of Affective Disorders Reports.
As explained by study co-author Tee-Jay Scott, our executive functions — such as working memory (holding and using information), response inhibition (resisting impulsive actions) and cognitive flexibility (adapting to change) — are vital for controlling emotional responses, especially in challenging situations. The research reviewed 17 international studies examining how these mental skills are affected by acute stress in people with symptoms of depression, anxiety or borderline personality disorder, finding that rather than enhancing mental focus in high-pressure moments, stress may temporarily disrupt executive functions in those with distress-related disorders.
“We found that working memory is particularly vulnerable to stress in people with depression, and that response inhibition — essential for self-control — may be impaired in those with borderline personality disorder,” said Scott, an ECU Masters student.
Co-author Professor Joanne Dickson said these disruptions could help explain why some people don’t respond well to common treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which relies heavily on these executive functions.
“Many psychological therapies are cognitively demanding,” she said.
“If acute stress is interfering with the mental processes that support emotion regulation, it could undermine a person’s ability to benefit from these treatments — especially during periods of heightened distress.”
The researchers say their findings highlight a need for more tailored interventions that account for stress-related cognitive disruptions.
“This research opens up new avenues for understanding how and why distress symptoms and disorders develop and persist,” Dickson said.
“It also points to the importance of designing therapies that are more flexible or that build executive function capacity before emotionally challenging work begins.”
While the study confirms a pattern of executive function impairment under acute stress, more research is needed to understand individual differences and refine treatment strategies.
“Understanding how stress interacts with brain function is key to improving mental health outcomes,” Scott said.
“It’s not just about what therapy is used, but when and how it’s delivered that will help ensure it’s effective.”
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[Logos: Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug; 9am Health]
Mark Cuban’s Dallas-based Cost Plus Drug Company is teaming up with San Diego-based 9amHealth to help employers expand access to affordable obesity medications as part of their health benefit plans.
The collaboration brings together Cost Plus Drugs’ transparent pricing model and 9amHealth’s high-touch virtual care program at a time when, the companies say, patient demand and rising medical costs have come to a head. In their announcement, the companies described the partnership as a cost-efficient, clinically guided solution for employers looking to expand coverage for weight management and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension.
As part of the collaboration, 9amHealth plans to incorporate low-cost oral medications from Cost Plus Drugs into its clinically validated obesity treatment protocol. Aimed at self-insured employers, the program also includes access to branded GLP-1 obesity medications at transparent monthly costs, supported by direct partnerships with manufacturers.
Employees would receive discounted prescriptions from Cost Plus Drugs along with virtual care from 9amHealth’s team of Obesity Medicine physicians, endocrinologists, and cardiometabolic specialists, “without long waits or costly appointments,” the companies said.
Alex Oshmyansky
Alex Oshmyansky, CEO of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, says the collaboration aligns with the company’s mission to make prescription drugs more affordable.
In a statement, he said the company’s commitment to transparent pricing “has always been unwavering”—and that by working with clinical leaders in obesity like 9amHealth, “we are dedicated to providing affordable and accessible healthcare solutions for patients with cardiometabolic conditions.”
With employer demand for obesity care on the rise, the companies describe their offering as a turnkey approach: evidence-based treatment combined with affordable medication access.
Paul Geevarghese, COO and co-founder of 9amHealth, says the collaboration gives employers a way to offer expert medical management of obesity “without the massive price tag.”
In a statement, he added, “We’re not only lowering the cost of medications, we’re also connecting members to real, human care: specialists in obesity and diabetes, clinical pharmacists, and ongoing nutritional support with registered dietitians—all from the comfort of home.”
The companies said the program gives employers a scalable option to address obesity and related chronic conditions within their benefit plans. It includes at-home lab testing, prescription delivery, access to first-generation obesity medications through costplusdrugs.com, and 24/7 clinical support.
Cost Plus Drugs, which launched its online pharmacy in January 2022, now offers more than 2,300 prescription products delivered by mail to thousands of customers daily.
Track Dallas-Fort Worth’s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.
 
Cuban and Arnold told an audience of businesspeople at Old Parkland Wednesday that high healthcare costs have multiple causes—and that efforts to significantly reform the system are likely to take a while.
The collaboration could have a big payback for high school students aiming for a high-tech future. The foundation and Codecademy aim to supply educational tools, resources, and bootcamps to develop essential technology, AI, and coding skills for the future.
The Bisnow Multifamily Annual Conference was held last week at the Hilton Anatole Dallas. As one of the marquee speakers, Mark Cuban took part in a Greater Dallas Planning Council’s “Sports Economic Outlook” discussion with Dallas Interim City Manager Kim Tolbert.
“As the first and only implantable continuous EEG monitor approved in the U.S., Minder can provide health care professionals and their patients with more accurate and timely diagnoses, enhanced therapeutic drug monitoring, and can better inform decisions on non-drug treatments like surgery,” said Epiminder CEO Rohan Hoare.
“The launch of ZUNVEYL is a game-changer in our fight against Alzheimer’s disease,” said Lauren D’Angelo, COO and chief commercial officer at Alpha Cognition. The drug is designed to provide “a differentiated treatment option” for patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s diagnoses.
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The role of the chief information officer (CIO) is undergoing another significant transformation. No longer limited to overseeing systems and operations, today’s CIO is a central strategic partner, guiding businesses through rapid technological and operational change.…
Plano-based-BGSF Inc. (NYSE: BGSF) has agreed to sell its Professional Division to Florida-based INSPYR Solutions, a portfolio company of A&M Capital Partners, in a $99 million all-cash deal.
BGSF is a provider of consulting, managed services, and professional workforce solutions.…
Dallas-based DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas has made appointments to its executive leadership team including two chief administrative officers and a new chief financial officer.
DHA said Sonya Barnette formerly with Fort Worth Housing Solutions, and David Storms, formerly the regional environmental officer for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are DHA’s new chief administrative officers. …
Burleson Council member Victoria Johnson has been elected as president of the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) executive board for the next year,
Johnson was elected to lead the 17-member board June 13 during the 59th annual General Assembly at the Hurst Conference Center….
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