Brian Thompson, a veteran executive at UnitedHealthcare, was shot and killed outside a hotel in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, sending shockwaves through the health care sector. The 62-year-old had spent over 20 years climbing through the ranks at the company, which employs approximately 140,000 people.
Thompson served as chief executive of the insurance division since 2021, overseeing a period of substantial profits. Under his leadership, the division reported $281 billion in revenues last year and covered millions of Americans through its health plans.
Despite facing criticism from congressional lawmakers and federal regulators over alleged denial of health care procedures, Thompson’s tenure saw significant growth in the sale of private insurance plans under Medicare Advantage, a program mainly for those 65 and older. Analysts praised his management style, with one describing him as “a smart, talented leader” who was well-respected by Wall Street analysts.
Thompson’s killing has sparked an outpouring of sympathy from rival insurers, executives, health care providers, and others. The company, which is under federal scrutiny for alleged anti-competitive behavior, released a statement expressing its condolences to Thompson’s family and vowing to work closely with the New York Police Department to investigate the incident.
Thompson had spent nearly seven years at PricewaterhouseCoopers before joining UnitedHealthcare in 2004. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in business administration and is survived by his wife, two children, and extended family.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/04/health/brian-thompson-unitedhealthcare.html