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New York Congressman Pat Ryan is calling for an urgent investigation into UnitedHealth Group by the Department of Justice. This follows a community inquiry that revealed troubling issues with the company's practices in the Hudson Valley. Congressman Ryan received numerous complaints from parents of children with disabilities and mothers waiting nearly a year for cancer diagnoses, highlighting the struggles faced by patients in accessing timely care.
UnitedHealth's subsidiary, Optum Health, has aggressively acquired medical practices in the region, gaining control over more than 2,500 providers at CareMount Medical and Crystal Run Healthcare. This has raised concerns about declining care quality, increased fees, and billing inaccuracies. Congressman Ryan submitted the inquiry results to the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Federal Trade Commission for further investigation.
Ryan stated, "United owns the insurance company, they own your doctor, they own the pharmacy, and they own the software that processes all of your information – and they use it all to keep prices high and drive quality down." He urged the Justice Department to expedite its investigation, which has been delayed due to staffing shortages.
The congressman also highlighted Optum's alleged manipulation of billing codes to increase Medicare payments and the pressure on its doctors to prioritize profits over patient care. As UnitedHealth faces multiple investigations, Ryan emphasized the need for accountability to ensure patients receive affordable and quality healthcare.