Many Americans have expressed frustration on social media with the health insurance industry, particularly with denials of treatment and claims, following the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The public outcry has prompted experts to say that it may be enough to push lawmakers to enact changes, but whether or not it will depends on patient voices being heard.
The health insurance industry has faced criticism in the past, including in the 1990s when patients railed against the restrictions of health maintenance organizations (HMOs), leading to the growth of preferred provider organizations (PPOs). However, PPOs have also been criticized for being more costly.
Industry experts remain skeptical about the notion that insurers deny care to pad their profits, arguing that they are protecting consumers from high prices and unnecessary care. Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth Group, has emphasized the company’s mission to improve the health care system and ensure that care is delivered safely, appropriately, and when needed, without being influenced by pressures for unsafe or unnecessary care.
In a letter to employees, Witty also pledged to make good on the company’s promise to make health care work better for everyone. UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest private health insurer, referred requests for comment to Witty’s video and letter, while other major insurers did not respond or declined to comment.
The country’s complex health care system makes it difficult to make changes, with many players involved, including hospitals, providers, employers, and health plans, each with their own patient care concerns, financial interests, and lobbying power. While any shifts will not come easily or quickly, experts agree that the health system needs a company like UnitedHealth Group to make a case for reducing costs and improving care.
Industry officials maintain that health plans are working to protect patients from the full impact of rising costs while connecting them to safe, evidence-based, and coordinated care. They point to the fact that health plans, providers, and employers all share a responsibility to make high-quality care affordable and easier to navigate for those they serve.
As the news of the murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO remains in the spotlight, patients and their advocates argue that it will prompt insurers to investigate their practices and make some changes. Julie Utterback, a senior equity analyst at Morningstar, believes that if seen as a risk to their businesses, insurers may shift their practices to maintain profitability and keep costs reasonable for their clients and end-users.