UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty has weighed in on the nation’s reaction to the murder of his former boss, Brian Thompson, outside a Manhattan hotel. In an op-ed published in the New York Times, Witty acknowledged that the health system “does not work as well as it should” and expressed frustration with the lack of sympathy for those who suffer from its shortcomings.
Witty stated that the company is willing to partner with others to improve care quality and reduce costs. He also highlighted the need to support employees who are targeted by threats due to their roles in the industry.
Thompson, a former UnitedHealthcare CEO, was known for pushing the organization to focus on preventive health and quality outcomes rather than just adding more tests and procedures. Witty praised Thompson’s legacy and acknowledged that his murder has sparked a wave of anger towards health insurers.
Experts say the backlash may reflect an inherent truth about Americans and their health plans: people tend to favor their own insurer but distrust the industry as a whole.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2024/12/13/brian-thompson-andrew-witty-unitedhealthcare-luigi-mangione