UnitedHealth Faces Leadership Crisis and Market Plunge

UnitedHealth Group has undergone a dramatic leadership change, with CEO Andrew Witty resigning for personal reasons amidst rising medical costs, regulatory scrutiny, and the fallout from a major cyberattack. Stephen Hemsley, the longtime former CEO and current chairman, has returned to the top role as the company seeks to restore stability and profitability by 2026. The leadership shift follows a disastrous earnings miss and a more than 10% single-day drop in UnitedHealth's stock, contributing to a loss of nearly $300 billion in market value over the past month. UnitedHealth has suspended its 2025 financial guidance due to higher-than-expected medical expenses, particularly among new Medicare Advantage members. The turmoil has had ripple effects across financial markets, impacting the Dow Jones and fueling concerns over wider economic stability. Additional challenges include the high-profile killing of an executive and mounting public criticism of insurance industry practices.