Insurance Giants GRILLED – RELIEF on the WAY

A stethoscope resting on a medical billing statement

Health insurance giants face congressional fire for skyrocketing premiums tied to Obamacare’s legacy, as families grapple with $27,000 plans and one in five claims denied—offering hope for Trump’s Great Healthcare Plan to deliver real relief.

Story Highlights

CEOs from UnitedHealth, CVS Health, Elevance, Cigna, and Ascendium testified before House Ways and Means Committee on January 22, 2026, defending costs amid consolidation scrutiny.
Obamacare premiums surged 80% in ten years; average family plans hit $27,000 with deductibles up to $10,000, burdening working Americans.
Insurers blame hospitals and drugs, but hospitals counter with stable spending share, pointing to insurer delays and denials.
Bipartisan push targets PBMs in spending bills facing January 30 deadline, signaling potential reforms under Trump administration.

Hearing Targets Insurer Accountability

House Ways and Means Committee Chair Smith opened the January 22, 2026, hearing by spotlighting Obamacare’s 15-year toll. Premiums climbed 80% over the last decade, while employer plans saw the sharpest increases in 15 years. Three insurers now dominate nearly half the market, and three PBMs control 80% of drug benefits. Committee members demanded answers on why consolidation failed to lower costs for consumers and taxpayers. This marks the first of series examining the health sector.

CEOs Deflect Blame to Providers and Pharma

UnitedHealth CEO Steve Hemsley testified that hospital and drug spending soared three times faster than inflation, driving premium hikes. Executives from CVS Health, Elevance Health, Cigna, and Ascendium echoed this, positioning insurers as pass-through entities. They highlighted investments in value-based care and faster approvals. Yet one in five claims face denial, blocking patient access despite high premiums. Average family deductibles exceed $10,000, with exchange out-of-pocket maximums over $20,000.

Hospitals Push Back on Cost Narrative

American Hospital Association testimony refuted insurer claims, noting hospitals’ national spending share held steady under one-third for decades. Growth stems from higher service volume and intensity, not price gouging. AHA and Federation of American Hospitals documented insurer tactics like delayed payments, coverage limits, and payment cuts that inflate administrative costs. Providers advocate for patients squeezed by unaffordability, urging Congress to address these barriers head-on.

These disputes reveal deep industry rifts, with no independent data resolving blame. Patients and employers bear the brunt, as 160 million Americans rely on these plans. Trump administration’s Great Healthcare Plan framework contrasts sharply with past policies, promising market-driven fixes over government overreach.

On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the CEOs of five major health insurance companies are scheduled to testify before the House Ways and Means Committee in an afternoon hearing focused on health care affordability for Americans with insurance coverage.

The witnesses include Stephen… https://t.co/Ec2HIhYJux

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) January 21, 2026

Legislative Momentum Builds Amid Deadlines

Bipartisan leaders advance PBM-targeting reforms within spending bills due by January 30. House votes loomed January 22-23, with Senate review following. Republican confidence grows for passage despite divided Congress. Success could curb PBM power, enforce prompt payments, and limit denials—easing burdens on families and businesses. Short-term, insurers face pressure to prove efficiencies; long-term, reforms may reshape competition and access.

Conservatives see this as vital pushback against fiscal mismanagement legacies. True relief demands rejecting big insurer monopolies and embracing competition, aligning with limited government principles. Outcomes will test if Congress delivers for everyday Americans tired of runaway costs eroding family budgets.