Today: Up to 100,000 SSM patients face losing in-network UnitedHealthcare access, the County Council trims $48M from the 2026 budget, and a community plan shapes redevelopment around the new NGA campus. Plus: Olympic hopefuls head to St. Louis, tornado relief expands, and janitors secure a new contract.

MAIN STORY

SSM–UnitedHealthcare Contract Standoff

About 100,000 SSM Health patients in the St. Louis area could lose in-network access to their doctors if SSM Health and UnitedHealthcare do not finalize a new contract before their agreement expires on Dec. 31. The dispute affects commercial. UnitedHealthcare Medicaid plans, but Medicare patients would remain in network, according to the insurer.

SSM leaders say rising medical costs require higher reimbursement rates and accuse UnitedHealthcare of earning “billions in profits” while denying necessary care, citing reporting on the insurer’s claims practices in the New York Times. UnitedHealthcare counters that SSM is seeking double-digit price increases over 2 years, which it says would raise costs for Missouri and Illinois employers and families, and calls SSM’s allegations “false” and a distraction. SSM operates 23 hospitals and hundreds of clinics across four states.

The dispute mirrors a 2023 clash between Mercy and Anthem that ended in a last-minute deal keeping patients in the network. Patients can track updates through SSM, UnitedHealthcare notices, and online plan tools.

AROUND TOWN

Olympic-level figure skating will headline the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis in January. The event, running Jan. 5-11 at Centene Community Ice Center and Enterprise Center, is the final qualifier before the 2026 Olympics, with top U.S. skaters competing for national titles and Olympic berths. Organizers expect about 5,000 visitors. Notable athletes include Alysa Liu, Ilia “Quad God” Malinin, Madison Chock, Evan Bates, and Jason Brown. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster and the official event site.

A community-led group is expanding tornado recovery aid into St. Louis’ O’Fallon Park neighborhood. Seven months after the May 16 tornado, 314 Oasis now serves hot meals several times a week in O’Fallon Park and at a relocated Fountain Park hub at Centennial Church. Organizers say many residents still lack heat, electricity, and basic supplies. Volunteers, including restaurant owner Fallin Artis, distributed 100 hot meals on Tuesday, with more planned on Thursday and Saturday outside Lanett Good Eats.

About 1,600 St. Louis-area janitors ratified a new 3-year contract Saturday. The Service Employees International Union Local 1 agreement covers workers at hundreds of schools, banks, and universities across the region. The deal includes a 43% increase in pension contributions, sharply reduced medical premiums, and expanded dental and vision options. Wages will rise each year of the contract. Members had rejected an earlier offer from the Contract Cleaners Association after the prior contract expired Oct. 31.

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County Council OKs 2026 Budget

The St. Louis County Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to approve a 2026 spending plan that cuts more than $48 million from County Executive Sam Page’s proposed budget, which takes effect Jan. 1. Councilwoman Lisa Clancy cast the lone “no” vote.

The adopted budget shrinks the use of Rams settlement funds to $15.6 million, with reserves covering the rest of the deficit. Page warned of unintended consequences, citing $11 million in health fund reductions and more than $2 million in cuts to jail medical services. At the same time, council leaders said the plan protects services and improves long-term solvency.

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NGA-area redevelopment

The St. Louis Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority on Wednesday approved a community-backed plan to redevelop vacant properties near the new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency West headquarters in the St. Louis Place and Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhoods.

The plan, crafted by neighborhood groups, guides future housing, commercial, and mixed-use projects around the $1.7 billion federal complex, which is still under construction. Supporters say the framework aims to prevent displacement, steer tax incentives, and link residents to jobs at the NGA site. The proposal now heads to the Board of Aldermen for consideration.

QUICK HITS

St. Louis Public Schools is losing about $2,360 per student annually — nearly $240 million over 8 years — to economic development tax incentives, a new Good Jobs First report finds, sparking debate with city development officials.

Westland Acres, a historic Black community in Chesterfield founded 145 years ago by a formerly enslaved man, is pursuing what residents hope is a viable plan to sell their increasingly valuable land.

St. Louis City SC has hired Yoann Damet, previously an assistant coach with Columbus, as its new head coach, marking a key leadership change ahead of the 2026 season and U.S. Open Cup participation.

Holiday festivals and light displays in the St. Louis area this week feature multiple events across the region, offering residents and visitors seasonal attractions, illuminated exhibits, and family activities on various dates leading up to the holidays.

Missouri Department of Conservation will seek public comments Jan. 16–Feb. 14 on proposed deer hunting rule changes responding to chronic wasting disease, which has expanded from 6 at-risk counties in 2012 to an estimated 82.