UnitedHealth Group CEO Mourns Death of Brian Thompson, Acknowledges Flaws in US Healthcare System
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty has penned an opinion piece in The New York Times, mourning the death of Brian Thompson, who led the company’s insurance arm, and recognizing that the US healthcare system is in need of reform. Witty acknowledged that the system is “flawed” and has been built piecemeal over decades, and that the company’s mission is to help make it work better.
Witty acknowledged that the company, along with employers, governments, and other payers, needs to improve how insurers explain what is covered and how decisions are made. He also highlighted the need to improve patient safety and outcomes, citing the importance of clinical evidence in decision-making.
The comments come in the wake of Thompson’s fatal shooting outside a Manhattan hotel, which has sparked widespread anger and resentment towards the healthcare industry. Witty’s comments also follow a challenging year for insurers, who have faced increased pressure to shore up profits as medical costs rise due to delayed surgeries during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Witty acknowledged UnitedHealth Group’s role in the healthcare challenges, stating that the company shares some responsibility for the complexity of the system. He did not provide specific solutions for reform but emphasized the need for collaboration among insurers, employers, and governments to improve the system.