Darius Tahir | (TNS) KFF Health News President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to run the sprawling government agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act marketplace — celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz — recently held broad investments in health care, tech, and food companies that would pose significant conflicts of interest. Oz’s holdings, some shared with family, included a stake in UnitedHealth Group worth as much as $600,000, as well as shares of pharmaceutical firms and tech companies with business in the health care sector, such as Amazon. Collectively, Oz’s investments total tens of millions of dollars, according to financial disclosures he filed during his failed 2022 run for a Pennsylvania U.S. Senate seat. Trump said Tuesday he would nominate Oz as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The agency’s scope is huge: CMS oversees coverage for more than 160 million Americans, nearly half the population. Medicare alone accounts for approximately $1 trillion in annual spending, with over 67 million enrollees. UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest health care companies in the nation and arguably the most important business partner of CMS, through which it is the leading provider of commercial health plans available to Medicare beneficiaries. UnitedHealth also offers managed-care plans under Medicaid, the joint state-federal program for low-income people, and sells plans on government-run marketplaces set up via the Affordable Care Act. Oz also had smaller stakes in CVS Health, which now includes the insurer Aetna, and in the insurer Cigna. It’s not clear if Oz, a heart surgeon by training, still holds investments in health care companies, or if he would divest his shares or otherwise seek to mitigate conflicts of interest should he be confirmed by the Senate. Reached by phone on Wednesday, he said he was in a Zoom meeting and declined to comment. An assistant did not reply to an email message with detailed questions. “It’s obvious that over the years he’s cultivated an interest in the pharmaceutical industry and the insurance industry,” said Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a watchdog group. “That raises a question of whether he can be trusted to act on behalf of the American people.” (The publisher of KFF Health News, David Rousseau, is on the CSPI board .) Oz used his TikTok page on multiple occasions in November to praise Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including their efforts to take on the “illness-industrial complex,” and he slammed “so-called experts like the big medical societies” for dishing out what he called bad nutritional advice. Oz’s positions on health policy have been chameleonic; in 2010, he cut an ad urging Californians to sign up for insurance under President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, telling viewers they had a “historic opportunity.” Oz’s 2022 financial disclosures show that the television star invested a substantial part of his wealth in health care and food firms. Were he confirmed to run CMS, his job would involve interacting with giants of the industry that have contributed to his wealth. Given the breadth of his investments, it would be difficult for Oz to recuse himself from matters affecting his assets, if he still holds them. “He could spend his time in a rocking chair” if that happened, Lurie said. In the past, nominees for government positions with similar potential conflicts of interest have chosen to sell the assets or otherwise divest themselves. For instance, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Attorney General Merrick Garland agreed to divest their holdings in relevant, publicly traded companies when they joined the Biden administration. Trump, however, declined in his first term to relinquish control of his own companies and other assets while in office, and he isn’t expected to do so in his second term. He has not publicly indicated concern about his subordinates’ financial holdings. CMS’ main job is to administer Medicare. About half of new enrollees now choose Medicare Advantage, in which commercial insurers provide their health coverage, instead of the traditional, government-run program, according to an analysis from KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. Proponents of Medicare Advantage say the private plans offer more compelling services than the government and better manage the costs of care. Critics note that Medicare Advantage plans have a long history of costing taxpayers more than the traditional program. UnitedHealth, CVS, and Cigna are all substantial players in the Medicare Advantage market. It’s not always a good relationship with the government. The Department of Justice filed a 2017 complaint against UnitedHealth alleging the company used false information to inflate charges to the government. The case is ongoing. Oz is an enthusiastic proponent of Medicare Advantage. In 2020, he proposed offering Medicare Advantage to all; during his Senate run, he offered a more general pledge to expand those plans. After Trump announced Oz’s nomination for CMS, Jeffrey Singer, a senior fellow at the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute, said he was “uncertain about Dr. Oz’s familiarity with health care financing and economics.” Singer said Oz’s Medicare Advantage proposal could require large new taxes — perhaps a 20% payroll tax — to implement. Oz has gotten a mixed reception from elsewhere in Washington. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, the Democrat who defeated Oz in 2022, signaled he’d potentially support his appointment to CMS. “If Dr. Oz is about protecting and preserving Medicare and Medicaid, I’m voting for the dude,” he said on the social platform X. Oz’s investments in companies doing business with the federal government don’t end with big insurers. He and his family also hold hospital stocks, according to his 2022 disclosure, as well as a stake in Amazon worth as much as nearly $2.4 million. (Candidates for federal office are required to disclose a broad range of values for their holdings, not a specific figure.) Amazon operates an internet pharmacy, and the company announced in June that its subscription service is available to Medicare enrollees. It also owns a primary care service , One Medical, that accepts Medicare and “select” Medicare Advantage plans. Oz was also directly invested in several large pharmaceutical companies and, through investments in venture capital funds, indirectly invested in other biotech and vaccine firms. Big Pharma has been a frequent target of criticism and sometimes conspiracy theories from Trump and his allies. Kennedy, whom Trump has said he’ll nominate to be Health and Human Services secretary, is a longtime anti-vaccine activist. During the Biden administration, Congress gave Medicare authority to negotiate with drug companies over their prices. CMS initially selected 10 drugs. Those drugs collectively accounted for $50.5 billion in spending between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023, under Medicare’s Part D prescription drug benefit. At least four of those 10 medications are manufactured by companies in which Oz held stock, worth as much as about $50,000. Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump Jr. emerges as a political force of his own as he helps his father launch a second term National Politics | The rising price of paying the national debt is a risk for Trump’s promises on growth and inflation National Politics | What to know about Brooke Rollins, Trump’s pick for agriculture secretary National Politics | After Trump’s Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key roles National Politics | Republicans push back against Democrats’ claims that Trump intelligence pick Gabbard is compromised Oz may gain or lose financially from other Trump administration proposals. For example, as of 2022, Oz held investments worth as much as $6 million in fertility treatment providers. To counter fears that politicians who oppose abortion would ban in vitro fertilization, Trump floated during his campaign making in vitro fertilization treatment free. It’s unclear whether the government would pay for the services. In his TikTok videos from earlier in November, Oz echoed attacks on the food industry by Kennedy and other figures in his “Make America Healthy Again” movement. They blame processed foods and underregulation of the industry for the poor health of many Americans, concerns shared by many Democrats and more mainstream experts. But in 2022, Oz owned stakes worth as much as $80,000 in Domino’s Pizza, Pepsi, and US Foods, as well as more substantial investments in other parts of the food chain, including cattle; Oz reported investments worth as much as $5.5 million in a farm and livestock, as well as a stake in a dairy-free milk startup. He was also indirectly invested in the restaurant chain Epic Burger. One of his largest investments was in the Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain Wawa, which sells fast food and all manner of ultra-processed snacks. Oz and his wife reported a stake in the company, beloved by many Pennsylvanians, worth as much as $30 million. ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
LinkedIn pauses training AI models on Canadian user data: Privacy Commissioner‘Cleared for take-off’: Who keeps us safe in the skies?
Donald Trump’s attorneys have asked the judge who presided over his criminal hush money case to dismiss the indictment and vacate the jury’s guilty verdicts — arguing their client is a victim of the same “raw politics” President Biden cited in pardoning his son , Hunter, according to filings made public Tuesday. “President Biden argued that ‘raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice,'” Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove wrote in the lengthy and politically charged filing, referring to Biden’s weekend statement announcing a 10-year pardon for his son. “Since [Manhattan] DA Bragg took office, he has engaged in ‘precisely the type of political theater’ that President Biden condemned.” Later arguing that the case threatens “the functioning of the federal government,” Bove and Blanche, who Trump has tapped for top roles at the Department of Justice , contended that Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan was required to throw it out based on the Presidential Immunity doctrine, the Presidential Transition Act, and the Supremacy Clause, arguing not doing so would impact Trump’s ability to govern. His election victory means the case must be tossed for the good of the country and that “potential incarceration, stigma, and diversions of attention” necessitate “categorical immunity,” Blanche and Bove wrote. “As President Biden put it yesterday, ‘Enough is enough,'” Blanche and Bove said. “This case, which should never have been brought, must now be dismissed.” The DA’s office, which declined to comment, is due to respond by Dec. 9. Prosecutors have said they plan to fight Trump’s efforts to get the case thrown out but have conceded the judge may need to postpone sentencing until Trump is out of office. Trump’s lawyers pushed back on the suggestion, writing that prosecutors’ “ridiculous suggestion that they could simply resume proceedings after President Trump leaves office, more than a decade after they commenced their investigation in 2018, is not an option.” A jury of 12 Manhattan residents found Trump, 78, guilty of 34 counts of falsification of business records on May 30 , stemming from his reimbursement to his ex-fixer Michael Cohen for paying off porn star Stormy Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election. The verdicts marked him as the first U.S. president to be found guilty of committing a crime. The jury found Cohen’s $130,000 payment to Daniels bought her silence about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump at a 2006 golf tournament. They determined the payoff was one in a scheme carried out before the election intended to bury unflattering information about Trump’s past that could negatively impact his standing with voters. It also encompassed payoffs to former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who alleges she had an affair with Trump, and a doorman at Trump Tower who claimed Trump had fathered a child with a maid out of wedlock. Last month, Merchan adjourned Trump’s sentencing indefinitely and drew up a new schedule to consider arguments about how to proceed in light of his election win. The historic case was the only one of four brought against Trump after his first term that made it before a jury. The Department of Justice last week sought to drop the two federal cases he faced, alleging he plotted to subvert democracy after President Biden’s election victory in 2020 and hoarded sensitive classified documents after leaving office, which Blanche and Bove noted in Tuesday’s filing. Trump is fighting to get the Georgia state case against him thrown out, where a potential conviction could not be pardoned on the federal level. That case has been tied up significantly with appeals, and legal experts say it’s unlikely to see a revival before Trump takes office.Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100, leaving behind a legacy of peace and humanitarian work. Carter, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, was notable for his role in brokering peace between Israel and Egypt during his presidency. While his time in office faced significant challenges, including a troubled economy and the Iran hostage crisis, Carter became known for his unyielding dedication to human rights and global unity. His son, Chip Carter, praised his father's commitment to these ideals, stating that they shared him with the world. Noted for his steady post-presidential efforts, world leaders and U.S. politicians have mourned his passing, emphasizing the significant loss of a leader devoted to the shared beliefs of peace and human rights. (With inputs from agencies.)
None
PVATM Kapit chief Martin Bilun is new KDC deputy chairmanSubscribe Search Search Sort by Relevance Title Date Subscribe ALBAWABA - The Biden administration is speeding up military aid to Ukraine to strengthen Kyiv's defenses before Trump takes office in January. The action raises concerns that Trump's administration may change Ukraine war policy. The Washington Post reports that Biden's team fears a policy shift after Trump's January 20 inauguration. HIMARS rocket munitions, anti-drone ammunition, and anti-personnel landmines are being supplied by the exiting administration for billions of dollars. Officials believe the goal is to empower Ukraine and encourage its authorities to expand their military beyond 160,000. Kyiv is also allowed to launch missile strikes deep into Russia by the Biden administration. Officials see this as a crucial opportunity for Ukraine to gain an edge before Trump's policy shift. Trump may name retired General Keith Kellogg a special envoy for Russia and Ukraine. Kellogg has suggested linking U.S. help to Ukraine's peace talks and increasing arms deliveries to push Russia. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and Trump ally Elon Musk are skeptical about military aid. Also Read Biden set announce ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah tonight Biden steps up Ukraine military aid surge with new $725 million package https://t.co/bBsFFW8jDn — Axios (@axios) December 3, 2024 U.S. military chiefs worry about Ukraine aid straining the Pentagon's readiness. A senior official emphasized that depleting American stocks threaten the U.S. military's ability to respond to Middle East or Asian crises. Despite these obstacles, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said, “The president has directed the rapid delivery of resources to ensure Ukraine can defend itself.” The Biden administration wants to leave Ukraine in the strongest position, but its view on U.S. engagement in the crisis is unclear. Under 350 words, this version simplifies the content into news. Let me know if you need changes! Osama Ali is an accomplished English content writer and news writer. With a strong command of language and a flair for storytelling. His expertise lies in delivering accurate and well-researched news pieces, ensuring that information is presented clearly and concisely. A dedicated professional who stays up-to-date with the latest trends in the English writing industry, consistently producing high... Subscribe Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content Subscribe Now Subscribe Sign up to get Al Bawaba's exclusive celeb scoops and entertainment news Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content Subscribe
NoneCentury-old series resumes as South Carolina hosts PresbyterianLike Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne on a shopping spree, the Los Angeles Dodgers are racking up quite a few IOUs. According to the Associated Press , the team has accumulated over $1 billion in deferred payments to seven players between the years of 2028-46 after the contracts this offseason to Blake Snell (five years, $182 million, with $66 million in deferred money through July 1, 2046) and Tommy Edman (five years, $74 million, with $25 million in deferred money through July 1, 2044). This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis. For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app , homepage and social feeds—including Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok .
Zepto: The Ultimate Solution To Absolutely Nothing – Just A Thrilling Game Of Cash Burning And Colossal Funding!Common Pressure Washing Myths Debunked By Midwest Pro Wash
Richmond may have shelved Dustin Martin’s No.4 for the time being, but the Sydney Swans have opted to refill the No.23 made famous by superstar Lance Franklin with a draftee. Ned Bowman, who was drafted from Norwood in South Australia as Sydney’s second pick, will wear the number Franklin wore with distinction in 354 games, including 172 for the Sydney Swans, after being traded to the Harbour City at the end of the 2013 season from Hawthorn. Franklin retired with little fanfare at the end of 2023, finishing with a mind-boggling 1066 goals. His number 23 was left vacant for the 2024 season but will be on the field again in 2025. Clubs are increasingly making efforts to hand famous jumper numbers to top draftees, with West Coast giving No.9, worn with distinction by club greats Ben Cousins and then Nic Naitanui, to No.1 draft pick Harley Reid in 2024. Sydney officials haven’t shied away from lofty ambitions for all their draftees either. The club’s third pick in the draft, Riley Bice, will wear No.26, which was recently vacated by champion Swan Luke Parker, who moved to North Melbourne. Parker was a former club co-captain, a 2012 premiership player, multiple best-and-fairest winner and played 293 games in the guernsey. “We think long and hard about the allocation of jumper numbers and we feel these new players will wear them with pride,” Swans football boss Leon Cameron said. “Obviously, jumper numbers 20, 23 and 26 have recently been worn by Sydney Swans champions, so we didn’t hand these out lightly, but we believe these kids will represent themselves well. “I look forward to seeing all the new players run out in the red and white next year, hoping they will make these jumpers their own.” Samantha Rogers Chris Robinson The Swans are entering a new phase after a horror grand final loss to the Brisbane Lions, with Dean Cox replacing long-term coach John Longmire, who stood down last month after 15 seasons in charge.Tweet Facebook Mail Would-be troublemakers are being warned of a massive police presence at Sydney's New Year's Eve party, with officers ready to crack down on bad behaviour. NSW Police said the biggest operation of the year was launching today ahead of celebrations across Sydney and the state. A particular focus will be the Sydney Harbour foreshore, where thousands are expected to gather for the annual holiday celebration and fireworks display. LIVE UPDATES: Injury rocks Aussie camp with Test set to explode Crowds gather at Mrs Macquarie's Chair to watch the fireworks during New Year's Eve celebrations. (Getty) Police said officers from every area command and district around the state would be on duty, along with specialist officers including mounted police and riot police. Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said both uniformed and plain-clothed police would be on patrol. "We want everyone to enjoy their New Year's Eve celebrations in a safe and responsible way," McKenna said. READ MORE: Experts weigh in as questions remain over South Korea plane crash Thousands are expected to attend Sydney's festivities. (Dion Georgopoulos) "People planning on coming to the city for free vantage points are urged to get in early to avoid missing out. "If a location becomes full, do not attend and find an alternative location. "We ask people to drink responsibly, know their limit and avoid starting 2025 in the back of a police truck." The public is encouraged to leave their car at home and use public transport as there will be major road closures and special event clearways in place throughout the CBD on New Year's Eve and into New Year's Day. READ MORE: Man charged after gunshot fired at NSW Central Coast unit Foty Family employees load firework barges at Glebe Island. (Dominic Lorrimer) Police will be travelling on trains, light rail, metro, buses, and ferries, watching for criminal and anti-social behaviour, including anyone drinking alcohol. "It is illegal to drink alcohol on public transport," McKenna said. "Don't ruin a good night out for yourself or others with foolish behaviour that you will come to regret." People are also reminded that a licence is required to purchase or use fireworks, with heavy penalties for lawbreakers. Police will be highly visible around Sydney. (Dion Georgopoulos) Maritime police will also watch for illegal behaviour on the water. "The same drink-driving rules apply on the water as they do on our roads," McKenna said. "Boaters should make sure they have all the necessary safety and emergency equipment. "Specialist police will conduct drug and alcohol testing, as well as compliance checks on vessels, so please be smart and safe." Sun, celebration, sadness: Christmas in Australia and around the world View Gallery Transport for NSW coordinator-general Howard Collins encouraged people to make an early New Year's resolution to catch public transport to and from their December 31 celebrations and take the stress out of the evening. "As always we will have thousands of extra public transport services – that's extra trains, buses and light rails – but on top of all that, this year for the first time we have Sydney Metro online from Tallawong to Sydenham, with services running throughout the night," Collins said. "This is Transport's busiest two days of the year, operating round the clock for almost 48 hours to move Sydneysiders and visitors to and from New Year's celebrations, family events, shopping in the sales and all the other great things to do." DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP : Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play .
Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Pegasystems Inc. ( NASDAQ:PEGA – Free Report ) by 0.9% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 60,383 shares of the technology company’s stock after buying an additional 542 shares during the quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Pegasystems were worth $4,413,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Pegasystems by 4.9% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,369,237 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $347,067,000 after acquiring an additional 250,273 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in shares of Pegasystems by 309.5% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 130,281 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $8,422,000 after purchasing an additional 98,465 shares during the period. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Pegasystems during the 1st quarter valued at about $423,000. Comerica Bank increased its position in shares of Pegasystems by 2,166.3% during the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 24,589 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $1,589,000 after buying an additional 23,504 shares during the period. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc raised its stake in Pegasystems by 15,120.0% in the second quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 761 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 756 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 46.89% of the company’s stock. Pegasystems Stock Up 2.3 % Shares of NASDAQ PEGA opened at $91.52 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $7.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 66.80 and a beta of 1.06. Pegasystems Inc. has a twelve month low of $44.07 and a twelve month high of $91.67. The company has a 50 day moving average of $77.31 and a 200 day moving average of $67.80. Pegasystems Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 1st were issued a dividend of $0.03 per share. This represents a $0.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.13%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, October 1st. Pegasystems’s payout ratio is presently 8.76%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Loop Capital upgraded Pegasystems from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their target price for the stock from $68.00 to $84.00 in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Wedbush increased their price objective on Pegasystems from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Pegasystems from $70.00 to $78.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. DA Davidson increased their price target on shares of Pegasystems from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Pegasystems from $77.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pegasystems currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $85.90. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Pegasystems Insider Transactions at Pegasystems In other Pegasystems news, CAO Efstathios A. Kouninis sold 528 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.00, for a total value of $43,824.00. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, CAO Efstathios A. Kouninis sold 750 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.00, for a total value of $53,250.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 2 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $142. This represents a 99.73 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold 33,345 shares of company stock worth $2,507,284 over the last three months. 50.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. About Pegasystems ( Free Report ) Pegasystems Inc develops, markets, licenses, hosts, and supports enterprise software in the United States, rest of the Americas, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. The company provides Pega Infinity, a software portfolio comprising of Pega Customer Decision Hub, a real-time AI-powered decision engine to enhance customer acquisition and experiences across inbound, outbound, and paid media channels; Pega Customer Service to anticipate customer needs, connect customers to people and systems, and automate customer interactions to evolve the customer service experience, as well as to allow enterprises to deliver interactions across channels and enhance employee productivity; and Pega Platform, an intelligent automation software for increasing efficiency of clients’ processes and workflows. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PEGA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pegasystems Inc. ( NASDAQ:PEGA – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Pegasystems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pegasystems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .