BUZZ-Shares of some health insurers and hospital operators rise on Trump comments, analysts say

Brokerage Baird says President Donald Trump's comments from last Friday to "love and cherish" Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are positive for hospital operators and Medicaid focused health insurers

Shares of health insurers UnitedHealth Group UNH.N rise 1.4%, Molina Healthcare MOH.N up 4%, Centene CNC.N up 1.4%, Elevance Health ELV.N up 2.2%

Shares of hospital operators HCA Healthcare HCA.N up 1.7%, Tenet Healthcare THC.N up 2.7% and Universal Health Services UHS.N up 1.4%

Baird says Republican Congress members have reportedly been eyeing Medicaid plans for lower-income Americans as a potential area for spending reform

"If Congress were able to pass legislation including significant Medicaid reform, Trump's positive updated view on Medicaid may lead to a presidential veto," which is unlikely to be overridden — Baird

Up to last close, CNC down 15.1% and HCA up 8.2% in the last 12 months