Our next guest thinks this shutdown could extend into the third week of October. Joining us this morning is Strigus Strategus Securities head of policy research Dan Lifton. Dan, welcome back.It's good to see you. Great to see you, Carl. Thanks for having me on.You know, the point's been made because this is not about uh fiscal sustainability or a debt ceiling. People wonder where the incentive is going to come to compromise. Yeah, look, I I mean, the Democrats really have had no chance to really take on Don ...

Core Insights - Centene Corporation (CNC) faces both opportunities and challenges under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which aims to simplify and digitize the U.S. healthcare payment system [1][3] - The bill includes approximately $1 trillion in federal Medicaid cuts over the next decade and mandates eligibility verification every six months, potentially increasing administrative costs and affecting ACA plan enrollment [2][8] Group 1: Opportunities and Challenges - The emphasis on billing standardization and digital infrastructure in the OBBBA may benefit Centene, allowing for enhanced claims accuracy and improved cash flow [3][4] - Centene's nationwide presence and experience in navigating complex regulations provide a competitive edge, enabling the company to develop tailored products and expand into private markets [4] Group 2: Financial Performance and Estimates - Centene's shares have lost 57.6% year to date, underperforming the industry [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CNC's EPS has been revised downward for the second and third quarters of 2025, with a similar trend for full-year estimates [10][11] - Current estimates indicate a year-over-year revenue increase for 2025, but a decline in EPS, while the opposite is expected for 2026 [11] Group 3: Valuation and Market Position - Centene trades at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 8.98, below the industry average of 11.96 [9] - The company may face pressure from the $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts and potential increases in costs due to eligibility checks [8]