Bob Herman covers health insurance, government programs, hospitals, physicians, and other providers — reporting on how money influences those businesses and shapes what we all pay for care. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09.
This is the online version of STAT’s weekly email newsletter Health Care Inc. Sign up here.
Hello, dear readers. This is the last Health Care Inc. of 2025, so I thought it was only fitting to look back and see which companies, characters, and storylines defined the year. What did I miss? I hope you all have a great holiday season, and I’ll see you in 2026.
The UnitedHealth fallout
We entered 2025 with a grim storyline: UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson had just been murdered on a Manhattan sidewalk, and many Americans used the event as an opportunity to voice frustration with the “inherent unfairness” of the health care system. It was this generation’s version of the discontent seen earlier in movies like “John Q.” (2002) and “As Good As It Gets” (1997).
The tragic event sent shockwaves through the industry, prompting discussions on the challenges facing the health care system and the need for reforms. The aftermath of Thompson’s death highlighted the deep-rooted issues of inequality and access to care that continue to plague the healthcare sector.
As the year progressed, UnitedHealth faced intense scrutiny and public backlash, with many questioning the company’s practices and policies. The fallout from Thompson’s murder brought to light the complexities of the health insurance industry and the significant influence that companies like UnitedHealth have on the healthcare landscape.
Despite the tragedy, the incident sparked a national conversation on healthcare reform and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the industry. It served as a sobering reminder of the human cost of the current healthcare system and the urgent need for change.
As we reflect on the events of 2025, it is clear that the UnitedHealth fallout will have a lasting impact on the healthcare industry and will continue to shape the conversation around healthcare policy and reform in the years to come.
