A Delaware state judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit that UnitedHealth Group brought against the Guardian, in a case stemming from the newspaper's 2025 investigation into secret payments the healthcare giant made to nursing homes. UnitedHealth, the largest US health insurer, had sued both Guardian US and its UK parent company after the reporting alleged the firm made undisclosed payments to reduce hospital transfers for care home residents. The ruling is being seen as a significant victory for press freedom, with the Guardian saying it did not back down under legal pressure and continued publishing further details of its investigation even after being sued.

Delaware superior court judge Calvin Scott issued the ruling on Monday, granting the Guardian's motion to dismiss and throwing out all six defamation claims in the case. Scott found that describing the payments as "secret" or made "quietly" was "substantially true", and stated that omissions in the reporting did not render its statements false, adding that the Guardian was not obliged to publish facts more favourable to UnitedHealth. Guardian US general counsel Kai Falkenberg welcomed the decision as a vindication of the outlet's "deeply sourced, independent reporting" and a rejection of "bullying and intimidation tactics". UnitedHealth had not issued a public response as of Tuesday morning and retains the right to appeal.