UnitedHealth Group CEO defends company

 

In his first public remarks since the murder of a top executive, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty acknowledged systemic flaws in the U.S. health care system but placed the blame solely on drug companies and hospitals.

© AP

The killing of CEO Brian Thompson in New York City last month set off a wave of vitriol and resentment against the insurance industry and health care system at large. Thompson ran UnitedHealth’s insurance division, UnitedHealthcare, which is the largest in the industry.    Witty spoke briefly about the slain CEO at the top of an earnings call Thursday, praising his legacy.   “He devoted his time to helping make the health system work better for all of the people we’re privileged to serve,” Witty said. During the call, UnitedHealth announced more than $400 billion in revenue and almost $14.5 billion in net profits last year.  Witty said the health system “needs to be less confusing, less complex and less costly,” and said costs need to come down.  “Fundamentally, health care costs more in the U.S. because the price of a single procedure, visit or prescription is higher here than it is in other countries. The core fact is that price, more than utilization, drives system costs higher,” Witty said.    But he said the main culprits for high costs were drug manufacturers, pointing specifically to GLP-1 prices. Witty noted the drugs cost about a tenth as much in Europe as they do in the U.S.    UnitedHealth owns pharmacy benefit manager Optum Rx, which is supposed to negotiate discounts on drugs in the form of rebates and pass them on to consumers. PBMs have been facing scrutiny from lawmakers and federal regulators, but Witty said they play a “vital role” in holding down costs, which is why they are being attacked by drug companies.    Optum Rx will pass through 100 percent of drug rebates back to consumers and employers by 2028, Witty said. “This will help make it more transparent who is really responsible for drug pricing in this country: The drug companies themselves,” he said.    He also took a thinly veiled swipe at hospitals, saying there are “participants in the system who benefit” from high prices.    Patients would benefit from lower-cost sites of service — something Congress is looking to implement for Medicare — but hospitals vehemently oppose it. Witty said such a move would “threaten revenue streams for organizations that depend on charging more for care.”  https://thehill.com/newsletters/health-care/5090644-unitedhealth-group-ceo-defends-company/

Against Russia Forever: UK, Ukraine Leaders Sign 'Landmark' 100-Year Pact

 Prime Minister Keir Starmer was in Keiv on Thursday where he announced a "historic" 100-year partnership with Ukraine, committing the United Kingdom to supporting the country "beyond this terrible war" and into a future so that it can be "free and thriving again".

He said while meeting with President Zelensky that "right now Putin shows no signs of wanting to stop" his "unrelenting aggression" and that the unprecedented agreement reflects the "huge affection between our two nations."

British PM Keir Starmer is greeted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv Thursday, Getty Images.

Interestingly, an inbound Russian drone attack triggered anti-aircraft fire while Starmer and Zelensky were in the middle of talks, but no casualties or damage resulted.

The hugely symbolic 100-year agreement, which clearly sends a message to the Kremlin, commits a whopping £3 billion of British support each year, to be continued indefinitely, according to The Guardian. 

According to more of what's been outlined as part of the long-term agreement:

Under the agreement, London and Kyiv pledged to “deepen defence cooperation” and boost Ukraine’s defence industry, recognizing it as a "future NATO ally".

Starmer said his government would also deliver a "mobile air defence system" and bolster maritime cooperation through new security frameworks in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea and Sea of Azov.

Various treaties that are part of the 100-year agreement are expected to be introduced to the United Kingdom Parliament in the coming weeks.

Further, Starmer described that the British military will increase training for Ukrainian soldiers as well as send 150 artillery barrels made by Sheffield Forgemasters, part of rejuvenating the historic company's national defense production.

Already there has long been a UK training program from Ukrainian troops on British soil, and London has from the start of the war been among the most hawkish European capitals supporting Kiev and leading anti-Russian measures.

Starmer further said that the 100-year partnership agreement will take relations to the next level. "The power of our long-term friendships cannot be underestimated," he said.

War with Russia forever? the signing of an astounding century-long pact...

"Supporting Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s barbaric invasion and rebuild a prosperous, sovereign future is vital to this government’s foundation of security and our plan for change," the prime minister added.

This appears to be a continuation of some European leaders' policy of 'Trump-proofing' future support to Ukraine, amid fears that the US president-elect could press Kiev into a 'bad deal'. But it will also serve to provoke antagonism between Russia and the West for a long time to come.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/more-trump-proofing-aid-uk-ukraine-leaders-sign-landmark-100-year-agreement

London Council Orders Staff To Stop Using The Term 'Christian Name'

 by Steve Watson via Modernity.news,

A council in South London has instructed staff to stop using the term ‘Christian name’ and instead use ‘forename’, reasoning that it could offend some people.

Sutton council issued a 13 page ‘inclusive language guide’, which suggests staff ask people for “first name, forename or given name” rather than someone’s “Christian name”.

The guide also instructs staff that they should only refer to religion if it is “relevant to the information being communicated”.

The guide states that use of “incorrect” or “outdated” language can “perpetuate, contribute to, or cause bias, prejudice and discrimination” in addition to “hurt and offence when discussing other personal attributes”.

It asks that gendered language be avoided, for example “workforce” should be used rather than “manpower” and “chair” should be used instead of “chairman”.

It also encourages workers to “actively avoid ageist terms such as ‘elderly’, ‘OAPs’, ‘pensioners’ or ‘youngsters’” and to steer clear of age-specific terms such as “mature workforce” or “young and vibrant team”.

Sutton council denied that it has banned the word ‘Christian’, issuing a statement saying “Our inclusive language guide has been created in collaboration with our staff to help them support our balanced and diverse community.”

Toby Young, the Free Speech Union founder, commented “This is woke hyper-sensitivity taken to ridiculous lengths.”

“I’ve never met a Jew, a ­Muslim or an atheist offended by the words ‘Christian name’,” Young added.

We’ve seen this kind of Orwellian erasure of language everywhere, from Universities and schools, to hospitals, workplaces, government bureaucracies, and even charities and churches.

*  *  *

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/london-council-orders-staff-stop-using-term-christian-name

US FDA approves Amgen's colorectal cancer therapy

 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Amgen’s combination therapy on Thursday to treat colorectal cancer in patients with a specific gene mutation.

Amgen’s Lumakras in combination with Vectibix was approved to treat adult patients whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body despite receiving chemotherapy, the health regulator said.

The FDA also approved Netherlands-based Qiagen’s companion diagnostic device to identify patients eligible for the combination treatment.

Lumakras is an oral drug designed to target a mutated form of the KRAS gene, which occurs in 3% to 5% of colorectal cancers, while Vectibix is a monoclonal antibody that targets a mutated form of the EGFR gene, known for causing rapid tumor cell growth.

The approval was based on a late-stage study showing the combination treatment extended progression-free survival to 5.6 months, compared with two months with standard care, the agency said.

Last year, the FDA approved Bristol Myers Squibb’s Krazati to treat colorectal cancer in patients with KRAS mutation.

Colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer globally, is also the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, according to the World Health Organization.

https://wmbdradio.com/2025/01/16/us-fda-approves-amgens-colorectal-cancer-therapy/

Los Angeles evacuees told to stay away from home at least another week

Tens of thousands of people ordered to flee their homes as wildfires tore through Los Angeles were told Thursday they would not be allowed back for at least a week, with fears over electrocution, landslides and exposure to toxic materials.

Frustration is mounting among evacuees, who are angry over rules that prevent them from returning -- even to homes that survived the deadly blazes.

"There was a group chat where everyone was complaining, getting mad, saying, 'why do they keep on locking us out of our homes?'" Ronnen Miz told local broadcaster KTLA.

But with 40,000 acres (16,000 hectares) burned in two ferocious fires, the situation is just too dangerous, officials said.

Electricity, gas and sewage lines are wrecked, there is toxic waste everywhere, and there is a growing threat of hazardous mudslides or landslips, officials said at a news conference.

"It's going to be a while," said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.

"I'm going to say at minimum, at least another week, and that's an estimate, but I believe it's going to be longer than that."

According to the latest coroner's tally, at least 27 people have died in wind-driven fires that ripped through the upmarket enclave of Pacific Palisades and the more mixed community of Altadena.

Luna said search teams were continuing to comb the rubble looking for victims, with the number of dead expected to rise.

Authorities were also holding people back from some areas "because we believe there may be deceased victims" he said.

Teams from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began inspections Thursday as they work to remove pesticides, fuel and lithium batteries from the wreckage before any debris clean-up can take place.

Los Angeles County Director of Public Works Mark Pestrella said apparently unaffected structures could be hit by landslides, and any substantial rain could be dangerous.

"In the event that we have major rain, we do expect that all of the street areas and all the communities will be impacted by debris flows that could be hazardous to human health."

Hillsides have been destabilized by the fires, and by the huge volumes of water that firefighters used in a bid to tame them.

Photographs from the Pacific Palisades area showed one home -- undamaged by the fire -- that appeared to have broken in two after the flames were extinguished when part of a hillside collapsed.

Gusting winds that have rattled the region for more than a week, spreading the fire over a wide area, had subsided Thursday, giving firefighters a much-needed boost as they mopped up hotspots.

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/los-angeles-fire-evacuees-told-no-return-for-at-least-a-week-7492673

Trump ally Arkansas governor Sarah Sanders to attend Davos forum

 Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders, a key ally of President-elect Donald Trump, plans to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos next week, she said on Thursday.

Sanders will be in Davos from Jan. 22 to 24.

She plans to participate in two panels, one on smartphones, social media and the youth mental crisis hosted by The Anxious Generation author Jonathan Haidt, and the other with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to "discuss the governors’ priorities and the role of states in a presidential transition," her office said.

She will also meet with business leaders, encouraging them to invest in Arkansas.

"Big Tech companies have driven massive increases in anxiety, depression, and suicide among our young people and I look forward to joining Jonathan Haidt in Davos to talk about this critical issue and how my administration is stepping up to hold Big Tech accountable," said Governor Sanders.

"I also look forward to joining Governor Beshear and speaking to major international companies to tell Arkansas' success story and encourage more investment in our state."

Sanders previously served as Trump's White House press secretary.

Trump does not plan to attend in person but will make a virtual appearance on Jan. 23.

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/trump-ally-arkansas-governor-sarah-sanders-to-attend-davos-forum

TikTok's fight against going dark gains support from key US lawmakers

 TikTok's fortunes took a positive turn on Thursday as a growing number of U.S. officials said its Chinese owner should have more time to sell that app and stop it from being banned ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House.

Trump's incoming national security adviser said the new Republican administration will keep the social media app used by 170 million Americans alive in the U.S. if there is a viable deal and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer urged President Joe Biden to extend by 90 days a looming deadline to shut it down on Sunday.

A law passed in April mandates TikTok's owner, ByteDance, divest TikTok's U.S. assets by Sunday to a non-Chinese buyer, or be banned on national security concerns.

"We will put measures in place to keep TikTok from going dark," U.S. Representative Mike Waltz told Fox News, pointing to a provision in the law allowing for a 90-day extension if there is "significant progress" toward a divestiture. "Essentially that buys President Trump time to keep TikTok going," said Waltz, who was picked by Trump to be his national security adviser.

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deciding whether to uphold the law and allow TikTok to be banned on Sunday absent a divestiture, overturn the law or pause it to give the justices more time to make a decision.

The court said it may issue rulings on Friday, but as is customary, did not state which case or cases would be decided.

Trump once supported a ban on the app but changed his stance last year. His shift came amid growing signs of support for his presidential campaign among tech executives and overtures from Republican donor Jeff Yass, who owns a big share of ByteDance. In a sign of warming ties between Trump and TikTok, the video app's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, will attend the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20 and be seated on the dais among other high-profile invitees, two people familiar with the matter said.

Bipartisan shift

"It's clear that more time is needed to find an American buyer and not disrupt the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans," Schumer said on the Senate floor, adding that Democrats tried to pass a bill extending the deadline to find a solution to 270 days.

"I will work with the Trump administration and with both parties to keep TikTok alive while protecting our national security," he added.

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deciding whether to uphold the law and allow TikTok to be banned on Sunday absent a divestiture, overturn the law or pause it to give the justices more time to make a decision. | Bloomberg

The comments by Schumer, who was a strong supporter of the law to force a sale, are a sign of the growing concern among prominent Democrats about the potential impact and political fallout of shutting down TikTok.

The New York Times reported Trump is considering an executive order that would seek to allow TikTok to continue operating despite a pending legal ban until new owners are found. It was not immediately clear if Trump has the authority to do so given the legal divestiture requirements imposed by Congress.

TikTok did not respond to requests for comment.

A spokeswoman for the Trump transition, Karoline Leavitt, said, "President Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to save TikTok, and there's no better deal maker than Donald Trump."

'Talks a big game'

Still, several Republicans and Democrats remain concerned about Chinese ownership of the app, worried the Chinese government could use it as a tool to collect data on U.S. citizens and to spread propaganda to the public.

"Trump talks a big game on China & wanted to ban TikTok — just like many Republicans voted to do," Representative Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, wrote on the social media platform X. "But now he's inviting TikTok's CEO to sit beside him at his inauguration even though TikTok is linked to the CCP & is a threat to our national security. What message does this send?"

The prospect of a TikTok ban has already triggered some users to seek alternatives, with Chinese social media app RedNote gaining nearly 3 million U.S. users in one day earlier this week, according to analytics firm Similarweb.

TikTok plans to shut U.S. operations of its social media app on Sunday barring a last-minute reprieve, according to people familiar with the matter.

A White House official told reporters on Wednesday that Biden has no plans to intervene to block a ban in his final days in office if the U.S. Supreme Court fails to act. The official added that Biden is legally unable to intervene absent a credible plan from ByteDance to divest TikTok.

Privately held ByteDance is about 60% owned by institutional investors such as BlackRock and General Atlantic, while its founders and employees own 20% each. It has more than 7,000 employees in the United States.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/01/17/companies/us-tiktok-positive-turn/