(Reuters) -Senators Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren are launching an investigation into UnitedHealth Group related to allegations that the healthcare conglomerate secretly paid nursing homes thousands in bonuses to help slash hospital transfers for ailing residents.

Two prominent Democrats are pressing UnitedHealth Group over reports that the company is engaging in cost-cutting policies that put nursing home patients at risk. | Two prominent Democrats are pressing UnitedHealth Group over reports that the company is engaging in cost-cutting policies that put nursing home patients at risk.

An investigation by Sens. Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren is another setback for UnitedHealth, which recently laid out a lower profit outlook and promised reforms to its operations.