How social media reacts to the CEO exports and stock crashes at UnitedHealth Group
So far, 2025 has been going well for UnitedHealth Group.
The healthcare giant announced Tuesday that Andrew Witty will resign as CEO's resignation for “personal reasons.” He will be replaced by Stephen J. Hemsley, who served as CEO from 2006 to 2017. Hemsley will continue to serve as chairman of the UHG board, and Witty will serve as Hemsley's senior consultant.
“The people leading the UnitedHealth Group work every day to improve the health system, which is a huge honor and they will continue to inspire me,” Witty said in a statement.
The company also announced it has suspended its 2025 outlook: “As nursing activities continue to accelerate, it also expands the range of more welfare product types than in the first quarter, and medical expenses for many new Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are higher than expected.” UHG said it expects to resume growth in 2026.
UnitedHealth Group rejected Medcity News' request for further comment.
The company's stock fell nearly 18% after the announcement. This comes weeks after the company lowered its annual forecast due to disappointing first-quarter performance, while UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in December for several months.
How does social media respond to the CEO's departure and stock decline? It can boil to three buckets of water:
Is it really for personal reasons?
Some are questioning the true meaning of “personal reasons.”
“While 'personal reason' is the reason Andrew Witty left, the suspension of guidance will show that his departure is more about the personal reason for the board than the boss,” said Dylan Jones, managing partner of LinkedIn business management consultant Boldsquare.
Jones added that those who belong to the “Age of Witness Leadership Board” may now be questioning their future in the company.
Jones is not alone because he suspects that Witt is likely to be kicked out instead of voluntarily resigning.
“This is how to fire from the world’s largest healthcare company:
- The stock price is 9% since you took the role
- The share price is 47% in one month.
Purchase Opportunities
UnitedHealth Group faces challenges in the near term due to its major cyberattacks, missed revenues and regulatory scrutiny. However, one on X considers these issues temporary and sees them as a buying opportunity.
“Based on every model and data point I have reviewed – nothing shows that this is a permanently broken business. …I may be early. Stocks may fall further in the short term. But I’m not counting down at the bottom. I’m trying to buy quality business when I hate and undervalue. It feels like one of those times. I bought stocks today.
Another investor calls UnitedHealth one of the best healthcare stocks.
@goodwilltrader said on X: “The past, all short-term events of its past will disappear soon. Super stocks will always recover. I have 100% confidence in this investment for a long time. There are 39% worth less reviews and monthly support and are moved over time.”
Is this worth it?
Some people think it's a buying opportunity, but others think the UN Health Group is worth the struggle.
“I hope UnitedHealth continues to be in trouble. Bad companies. Their rejection rate is 2 times the industry average. The company's total scam.”
Teedee144 is not the only one who does this.
“My company uses UHC, and they are the absolute worst health insurance I've ever worked on,” Lion27 said on Reddit. “Everything is as difficult as possible unless you're paying, they deny everything. When our first baby was born, I switched to a family plan with Aetna through my wife's company, and they're great. Not sure if they look great compared to UHC, but this is the first time I don't hate my insurance company.”
Photo: Philo, Getty Images
