The arrest of Luigi Mangione has sparked a reaction from UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group. CEO Andrew Witty has come forward to defend his employees in the wake of the 26-year-old’s arrest and murder charge for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Witty expressed gratitude for the public’s support for Thompson, but also acknowledged the vitriol directed at Mangione’s colleagues who have received threatening messages. The CEO emphasized that his company’s mission is to improve the healthcare system, despite its shortcomings.
Thompson was fatally shot in New York on December 4 and was a proponent of building dedicated teams to help the sickest patients navigate the health system. Witty highlighted Thompson’s dedication to helping others.
However, another individual has been arrested for threatening BlueCross BlueShield insurance company after referencing words from gun shell casings used in the murder. The woman, Briana Boston, apologized for her actions but claimed that healthcare companies deserved “karma” because they are perceived as evil.
Mangione remains in custody and his lawyer, Thomas Dickey, has stated that he plans to plead not guilty and will not accept donations from the public. However, Dickey noted that some individuals may be exercising their free speech rights by supporting Mangione’s defense.
Source: https://www.eonline.com/news/1411122/unitedhealth-group-ceo-slams-vitriol-and-threats-aimed-at-employees-amid-luigi-mangione-arrest