STAT+: Unredacted comments from California hospital lawsuits show stunning admissions and a ‘forced’ McKinsey collaboration

STAT PlusNewsletterHealth Care Inc. Newsletter Unredacted comments from California hospital lawsuits show stunning admissions and a ‘forced’ McKinsey collaboration Who controls the Medicaid market, GLP-1 usage and pizza household costs, and more from Health Care Inc. Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Bob HermanJune 29, 2026 Business of Health Care Reporter Bob Herman[email protected]Bob covers the money in health care, focusing on health insurance and hospitals. His stories delve into Medicare Advantage, opaque prescription drug benefits, and how much executives actually make. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. This is the online version of STAT’s weekly email newsletter Health Care Inc. Sign up here. Some housekeeping: Next week’s Health Care Inc. will come out Tuesday, July 7, instead of Monday. It’ll be a special edition about employer-based health insurance. Stay tuned, and see you then! [email protected].Advertisement The ER chain making bank on surprises Meet Nutex Health, a company that is building an emergency room empire in an unconventional but highly lucrative way: Nearly all of its facilities don’t take Medicare and therefore are not obligated to treat everyone who walks through their doors. And then for those it does treat, it routes loads of disputed insurance bills through a federal arbitration process that has showered providers with higher payments. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In drug development, government agencies, insurance, legal, Policy Submit a correction requestReprints Bob Herman Business of Health Care Reporter Bob covers the money in health care, focusing on health insurance and hospitals. His stories delve into Medicare Advantage, opaque prescription drug benefits, and how much executives actually make. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. Newsletter Unpacking the business — and secretive inner workings — of the U.S. health care industry Recommended Health Care Inc. Newsletter June 8, 2026 STAT Plus: UnitedHealthcare’s lactation billing feud, and fake strokes Health Care Inc. Newsletter June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Medicare’s mum on GLP-1s, and Massachusetts sues United Advertisement Health Care Inc. Newsletter May 26, 2026 STAT Plus: $775 billion, $1.2 billion, and $38k Health Care Inc. Newsletter May 18, 2026 STAT Plus: Why the WakeMed – Atrium Health hospital merger matters Health Care Inc. Newsletter May 11, 2026 STAT Plus: Medicare’s miss on Alzheimer’s drug spending Subscriber Picks