Latest news with #MA
IOL News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Court orders reconsideration of asylum for persecuted gay man
The court ruled that home affairs had to reconsider granting asylum status to a Chad citizen after he was persecuted in his country for being gay. Image: File A Muslim man who was imprisoned in Chad on grounds of his sexual orientation and fled to South Africa after he was released as he fears persecution, turned to court after home affairs officials here refused to grant him refugee status. The man, only identified as MA, on Friday headed to the urgent court at the Western Cape High Court, where he obtained a lifeline. He asked that the decision by the Refugee Status Determination Officer, in refusing his refugee status, be overturned. Judge Gayaat da Silva-Salie ordered that his application for asylum status had to be heard afresh, by another officer. The judge remarked that the reasons given by the officer for refusing his application were nonsensical. MA fled to South Africa to join his lover, a doctor working here. He explained that homosexuality is criminalised in his country of origin. He was arrested in Chad in September 2022, after which he was convicted on charges of homosexual activities and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. On appeal, his sentence was reduced to 12 months with the option of paying a fine. He was released from prison in February 2023 and entered South Africa in May 2023, by way of a visitor's visa. He applied for asylum on a few occasions and his most recent interview was in September last year. While the reasons for refusing him asylum status formed part of the court proceedings, the judge remarked that they were unintelligible, irrational and failed to consider the applicable law. The officer also failed to consider the circumstances in Chad, in particular their position on homosexuality. MA submitted in support of his application for asylum that he fled Chad after being imprisoned solely for being a homosexual man. He further stated that his safety and freedom remain threatened in Chad, where homosexuality is a criminal offence. He also indicated that his family had disowned him and that he faces persecution both from the State and society at large in his home country. Home affairs, on the other hand, said he has not yet exhausted the internal remedies available to him and argued that he could return to that country. The department reasoned that the judiciary in Chad is independent, and that although homosexuality is criminalised, some courts had released offenders. Judge Da Silva-Salie found the arguments by the department 'rather problematic". 'It accepts the factual basis of criminalisation of homosexuality, with consequent criminal convictions and punishments in the applicant's home country of Chad, whilst simultaneously rejecting the credibility of the applicant's claim of fear of future persecution,' she said. She added that no attempt was made to test or evaluate the applicant's claim that his prior arrest, imprisonment, and societal ostracisation due to his homosexuality posed a continued threat. The judge said if the applicant returned to Chad, his position can only be worse if he continued his lifestyle as he would be already a convicted person of homosexual offences. She referred to the reason forwarded for refusing asylum as 'a characteristic of a sequence of illogical babble".
The Star
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Gumi outing a valuable experience for our athletes, says Ballard
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian athletes may have left the Asian Track and Field Championships with mixed emotions, but the overall takeaway was clear – it was crucial learning experience ahead of Thailand SEA Games in December. Malaysian Athletics (MA) technical director Robert Ballard believes the recent outing in Gumi, South Korea, gave the team valuable insights, from medal-winning highs to painful relay missteps.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UnitedHealth (UNH) Sets Sights on Market Comeback After Brutal Quarter
UnitedHealth Group's stock (UNH) has hit a rough patch, weighed down by regulatory pressure on its Medicare Advantage programs and rising medical costs. But stepping back from the current turbulence, there's reason for cautious optimism. UnitedHealth's strategic direction and diversified business model leave it well-positioned to benefit from long-term healthcare trends, even as it navigates short-term headwinds. All things considered, I remain cautiously bullish on UNH. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter UnitedHealth is facing challenges on multiple fronts. Most notably, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating potential fraud in its largest revenue source, the Medicare Advantage (MA) business. This follows a civil inquiry into whether the company exaggerated patient diagnoses to secure higher payments for its MA plans, a serious allegation. UnitedHealth has denied any knowledge of a criminal investigation, so for now, that aspect remains speculative. These concerns come as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to audit all Medicare Advantage programs, placing additional scrutiny on UnitedHealth. Given that the MA business is a critical part of UnitedHealthcare—one of the company's two core segments alongside Optum—this spotlight could have meaningful implications. In its first quarter 2025 earnings, UnitedHealthcare's revenues were $84.6 billion out of total revenues of $109.6 billion. As of Q1 2025, UnitedHealthcare had 8.2 million MA members, making up nearly 20% of the total domestic membership. In addition to mounting regulatory pressure, UnitedHealth's Medicare Advantage (MA) business is being squeezed by rising medical costs. An aging population is driving higher-than-expected utilization of healthcare services, while government reimbursement rates are slow to keep pace. For example, the planned 5.06% increase in reimbursement for 2026, though helpful, is unlikely to fully offset the surge in expenses, leaving MA providers like UnitedHealth in a difficult position. These cost pressures have already forced the company to lower its full-year 2025 earnings guidance. Compounding the situation are the lingering effects of the February 2024 ransomware attack on its Change Healthcare subsidiary, which exposed sensitive data of millions of patients. On top of that, the company is still reeling from the tragic assassination of former CEO Brian Thompson last December, adding further disruption during an already turbulent period. For investors, turbulent periods like this echo Warren Buffett's famous advice: 'Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.' UnitedHealth's newly reappointed CEO, Stephen J. Hemsley, is well-suited to lead through uncertainty, having already steered the company through the 2008 financial crisis during his previous tenure from 2006 to 2017. Importantly, UnitedHealth's business model is both defensive and diversified, extending well beyond its Medicare Advantage operations. Its Optum segment, which includes health services, pharmacy benefits management, and healthcare technology, is a major growth driver. In the first quarter alone, Optum's revenue rose by $2.8 billion to $63.9 billion. Optum's success also reinforces the MA business through its focus on value-based care, creating a potential flywheel effect that enhances overall efficiency and patient outcomes. And with powerful long-term tailwinds in the healthcare sector, particularly from an aging population, UnitedHealth—as the largest MA provider—remains well-positioned for future growth. On Wall Street, UNH sports a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 19 Buy, six Hold, and one Sell ratings in the past three months. UNH's average price target of $380.59 implies a 28% upside potential over the next 12 months. Given the factors surrounding the stock, UNH has been subject to many rating downgrades this past month. For instance, HSBC analyst Sidharth Sahoo downgraded UNH to Sell due to several risks, including 'potential increases in the medical loss ratio, policy risks related to Optum Rx, and lower return on equity expectations. Additionally, the cancellation of 2025 earnings guidance has increased the downside risk for future earnings, and potential Medicaid funding cuts could further impact the company's financial performance.' Not all analysts share Sahoo's cautious outlook. JPMorgan's Lisa Gill maintains a Buy rating on UnitedHealth, viewing the recent stock decline as 'overdone.' She contends that The Guardian's report, which contributed to market volatility, misrepresents how UnitedHealth manages hospitalizations. In her view, the misconduct allegations don't hold up under scrutiny. Gill essentially dismisses the report's claims, emphasizing a logical rationale behind UnitedHealthcare incentivizing nursing facilities to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, since it can lead to better outcomes and lower costs for all parties. That said, such programs must be implemented with care and integrity. Ethically, once a hospital transfer becomes medically necessary—say, in the case of stroke symptoms—it should never be delayed or denied. In response to the article, UnitedHealth issued a statement asserting that the Department of Justice had previously reviewed the matter and chose not to take further action. In summary, UnitedHealth's recent volatility could present a compelling opportunity for investors willing to ride out the turbulence. The company is clearly facing a tough stretch, with heightened regulatory scrutiny, rising medical costs, and the lasting impact of the Change Healthcare cyberattack creating significant near-term headwinds. However, looking beyond the immediate challenges, UnitedHealth's relatively conservative valuation and well-diversified business model provide a strong platform for long-term recovery. The road ahead may be uneven, but the company appears well-positioned to navigate the storm and emerge stronger on the other side. Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue
Malaysian Reserve
3 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
SelectQuote (SLQT) Shares Slide Further on Disappointing Earnings Amidst DOJ Scrutiny- Hagens Berman
SLQT Investors with Losses Encouraged to Contact the Firm SAN FRANCISCO, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SelectQuote Inc. (NYSE: SLQT) faced renewed investor pressure on Monday, May 12, 2025, as its shares tumbled another 12% following the release of quarterly results that fell short of earnings and revenue expectations. This decline compounds the over 19% drop experienced on May 1st after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a lawsuit alleging violations of the False Claims Act against the insurance brokerage and several major health insurers. Hagens Berman is investigating potential violations of the U.S. securities laws and encourages SelectQuote investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now. The firm also urges persons with knowledge who may be able to assist in the investigation to contact its attorneys. Visit: the Firm Now: SLQT@ 844-916-0895 Earnings Miss Adds to Investor Woes For the quarter ended March 2025, SelectQuote reported earnings of $0.03 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.04 per share. The company also posted revenues of $408.16 million, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $417.01 million by 2.12%. Mounting Troubles Weigh on Investor Confidence This financial disappointment adds to the headwinds facing SelectQuote, which is already grappling with serious legal allegations. The DOJ lawsuit, unveiled on May 1st, accuses SelectQuote, along with other brokers and health insurance giants Aetna, Anthem, and Humana, of False Claims Act violations related to the marketing of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. The lawsuit alleges that, from 2016 through at least 2021, insurers paid significant sums to SelectQuote and other brokers for Medicare Advantage enrollments. The DOJ contends that, rather than providing unbiased guidance, SelectQuote and other brokers steered beneficiaries toward plans offering the highest commissions, potentially disregarding the suitability of those plans. The complaint further details allegations of incentivizing sales based on these commissions, establishing dedicated sales teams for specific high-commission plans, and instances of allegedly refusing to sell plans from insurers with lower commission structures. Discrimination against MA beneficiaries with disabilities is also alleged. Hagens Berman's Investigation The confluence of a weaker-than-anticipated earnings report and ongoing legal entanglements has amplified anxieties surrounding SelectQuote's financial stability and operational integrity. According to Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner spearheading an inquiry into the company, 'The recent earnings figures underscore our existing concerns about SelectQuote's alleged steering tactics in light of the DOJ's allegations.' If you invested in SelectQuote and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses now » If you'd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the SelectQuote investigation, read more » Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding SelectQuote should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email SLQT@ About Hagens BermanHagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman's team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Congressional Dems ask judge to extend whistleblower case against UnitedHealth
More than two dozen Democrats in Congress, including U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, are asking a federal judge to let a whistleblower lawsuit move forward that alleges profiteering through the unlawful use of medical coding data by Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. The lawmakers argue in their May 15 court filing that a jury should be allowed to pass judgment on company practices the U.S. Department of Justice alleges have wrongfully inflated corporate earnings from the Medicare Advantage (MA) program by billions of dollars at taxpayer expense. A special master who examined the evidence recommended earlier this year that the long-running whistleblower lawsuit should be terminated via summary judgment. "It's way past time to rein in the wasteful and harmful practices committed by corporate health insurers in MA starting with UnitedHealthcare," Omar said in a statement to the Minnesota Star Tribune. "I joined the amicus brief to finally hold them accountable for stealing money from taxpayers and abusing the Medicare Advantage program." The lawsuit, which the Justice Department joined as a plaintiff in 2017, argues UnitedHealth Group engaged in one-sided reviews of medical charts to find evidence supporting higher payments for the company, but failed to use the same techniques to fix billing codes that would tend to lower the company's fees. In a statement, UnitedHealth Group pointed to a March report from a court-appointed special master that concluded the Justice Department's extensive efforts thus far had not recorded evidence of overpayments or wrongdoing by the company. Medicare Advantage is a privatized version of the federal health insurance program for seniors, where beneficiaries receive government-funded benefits via private insurance companies that manage the network of doctors and hospitals members can visit. UnitedHealth Group operates UnitedHealthcare, which runs the nation's largest MA plan. UnitedHealth notes that the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provides extensive oversight of the program. "As evidenced by the recently released risk adjustment validation audits, our results continue to demonstrate the accuracy of our coding and the integrity of our practices," the company said in a statement to the Star Tribune. "It is unfortunate to see politically motivated attempts by longtime opponents of Medicare Advantage trying to extend a case that has been thoroughly reviewed and found to lack merit." In her March 3 ruling, Special Master Suzanne Segal found a "complete failure of evidence" from the Justice Department to support key aspects of its lawsuit, and wrote of the company's practices: "There simply was no fraud." "The money at issue is alleged overpayments the government claims United received as a result of submitting allegedly invalid diagnosis codes in connection with the Medicare Advantage program," Segal wrote. "The fatal flaw in the government's case is the complete absence of evidence of such overpayments, an essential element of the government's claim." The Justice Department said in April that Segal's conclusions were " fundamentally flawed," arguing a federal court in California should let the litigation proceed. Judge Fernando Olguin will consider the special master's report at a hearing scheduled for June 12 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. It will be a pivotal moment in a case that dates back to 2011, when Benjamin Poehling, a former director of finance for UnitedHealth Group in Minnesota, filed his original whistleblower complaint. In Medicare Advantage, the government pays health insurers a per-member, per-month up-front payment to cover the cost of health care needs for beneficiaries, including higher fees for sicker populations. Health plans can increase their pay by submitting "risk adjustment" data on patients likely to need more care. The Justice Department argues that medical coding professionals hired by UnitedHealth reviewed charts to find data that would support higher payments to the company, but systematically ignored information that would have lowered fees from the government. "United cannot have it both ways," the lawmakers wrote in their amicus brief filed with the court. "It cannot argue, on one hand, that chart review is error prone and may be too complex to consistently identify unsupported codes, while simultaneously maintaining that its additional codes (and associated payments) are justifiable." The filing referenced the considerable scrutiny UnitedHealth has faced in recent years for its business practices in Medicare Advantage, including a 2023 report from the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Health and Human Services Department. The watchdog agency found UnitedHealth was the biggest user among insurers of questionable diagnosis data to boost Medicare Advantage payments. Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported the Justice Department had launched a criminal fraud investigation of Medicare billing practices at UnitedHealth. "United is the world's most egregious upcoder and chief among the private MA insurers employing fraudulent and abusive tactics to retain funds that rightfully belong either in the Medicare Trust Funds or in the hands of the American taxpayers," the lawmakers said in their filing. Last week, Judge Olguin ordered UnitedHealth Group to file its response to the lawmakers' amicus brief by Friday. 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