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In the longer term, policy changes that improve health care and the health system play to our strengths," said United CEO Stephen Hemsley on the company's earnings conference call Tuesday.

The nation's largest insurer's first-quarter earnings and revenues were stronger than expected, helped in part by its decision to exit the Obamacare individual market this year.

UnitedHealth executives say they have been engaged in talks with GOP officials in Washington about reforms that will help bring down health insurance costs, and they put an emphasis on the need to repeal the Affordable Care Act's tax on all health plans, including government health coverage.