More UHC Pain (teardrop), Direct Primary Care Dropped From Tax Bill, New HIV Vaccine

Hey all,

Happy Thursday! As we watch UnitedHealth’s stock price drop, I find myself unable to shed a tear. With increased regulatory and customer scrutiny, the business model of taking excessive rents is no longer viable. Enjoy the rundown!

Jacob Brody (Co-Founder & CEO, ZorroRX)

(Wall Street Journal) UnitedHealth’s Transparency Problem Amid Investigations

UnitedHealth is under mounting pressure to shed light on its complex financials after a wave of investor concern, missed earnings, a DOJ criminal probe, and a CEO resignation shattered confidence in the once-reliable healthcare giant. With a web of internal transactions and vague segment disclosures, its black-box approach is no longer sustainable—but greater transparency could expose more than investors or regulators are ready for. Maybe UnitedHealth’s hesitation to be transparent is just good self-care—after all, if you’re under investigation for shady practices, sunlight isn’t a disinfectant. Full Article

(BenefitsPro) Senate Omits Direct Primary Care from Tax Bill

The Senate Finance Committee’s new tax bill draft has excluded a key provision supporting direct primary care (DPC) arrangements that was included in the House’s “One Big Beautiful Act,” frustrating employers and DPC advocates. While the House version would have allowed patients to use health savings account (HSA) funds to cover up to $150/month for individual and $300/month for family DPC memberships, the Senate’s omission signals a potential roadblock for expanding this alternative care model, despite bipartisan support and physician advocacy. As for why the provision was dropped—well, no explanation has been given, but let’s just chalk it up to Congress once again showing its unmatched talent for health care policy brilliance (see: Affordable Care Act). Full Article.

(STAT) FDA Approval of HIV Prevention Drug Yeztugo

The FDA has approved Gilead’s lenacapavir, branded as Yeztugo, a biannual injection that offers near-complete protection against HIV infection—marking a potential breakthrough in global HIV prevention efforts. Despite its promise, the rollout faces serious barriers due to recent cuts to domestic and international HIV funding under the Trump administration, potentially delaying access in high-need regions like sub-Saharan Africa. With a $28,218 annual price tag and insurance coverage hurdles, widespread adoption in the U.S. also remains uncertain, though Gilead aims to double the number of Americans on PrEP by 2030. Full Article