** 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

(Reporting by Christy Santhosh)

((Christy.Santhosh@thomsonreuters.com))