UnitedHealth Seeks Meeting with Trump Amid Federal Probes and Share Slump

UnitedHealth Group has sought meetings with President Donald Trump as it presses a broader lobbying effort in Washington while confronting federal investigations and a steep decline in its stock price, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.

The insurer has not yet secured a meeting with the president, the Journal said. The outreach comes as UnitedHealth faces multiple probes, including a criminal investigation into its Medicare billing practices, and as investors have punished the company — its shares are down about 30% so far this year.

Stephen Hemsley returned to the chief executive role in May after the ouster of his predecessor, Andrew Witty, and has pledged to restore investor confidence. Hemsley recently met with Susie Wiles, the president’s chief of staff, according to Reuters, which quoted a White House official saying the criminal investigation was not discussed. The Journal reported the discussion covered the Medicare health insurance program for seniors and people with disabilities and other issues.

The Journal also reported that Hemsley had dinner in the summer with Chris Klomp, the official overseeing Medicare, during which they discussed Medicare-plan billing policies and supplemental benefits offered under private Medicare plans.

UnitedHealth responded to requests for comment by saying that "public policy shapes healthcare across America, and it’s our responsibility to engage with the administration and Congress at all levels to improve patient access and affordability," adding that such engagement is especially important now "as critical decisions are being made."

Kush Desai, a White House spokesperson, told the Journal that the administration "routinely meets with insurers to deliver on the President’s mandate of improving healthcare and lowering costs for everyday Americans."

The outreach to the White House and senior administration officials reflects a larger effort by UnitedHealth to counter mounting regulatory and legal pressures. Federal inquiries and enforcement actions often lead to costly compliance measures, possible fines and litigation, and heightened investor scrutiny. Company executives have signaled a desire to engage policymakers on how Medicare rules are applied to privately administered plans and on supplemental benefits that affect beneficiaries and plan costs.

UnitedHealth is the nation’s largest health insurer by revenue and plays a major role in administering Medicare Advantage plans and other government-contracted services. The company’s extensive footprint in public programs has made its practices a focal point for regulators examining billing and reimbursement for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries.

Investors have reacted sharply to the uncertainty. The roughly 30% drop in UnitedHealth’s stock this year reflects concern about potential regulatory penalties, disruptions to business lines tied to government programs, and ongoing questions about the company’s governance after the leadership transition earlier in 2025.

The company’s reported attempts to secure direct talks with the president come as it seeks to make its case at the highest levels of government while parallel probes continue. Both the administration and UnitedHealth framed their interactions as part of routine engagement between policymakers and industry stakeholders on health-care policy and cost issues.

Further developments could hinge on whether UnitedHealth succeeds in arranging more senior-level meetings and on the outcomes of the federal investigations. For now, the insurer is balancing outreach to Washington with efforts to stabilize operations, address regulatory inquiries and restore investor confidence.