The head of UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, Andrew Witty, has written a guest essay for The New York Times in response to the killing of the insurance giant’s CEO, Brian Thompson. Witty mourned Thompson’s death and called for work to improve the nation’s “patchwork” health insurance system.
Witty acknowledged that the health care system is “not perfect” and needs to be overhauled, but he emphasized that the people who work in the system are trying to do their best for those they serve. He condemned the vitriol and threats directed at healthcare employees and stated that no one should have to fear for their safety.
Witty touted Thompson as a healthcare employee who tried to do his best for his clients and promoted ideas aimed at making healthcare more affordable, transparent, and compassionate. He emphasized that the late CEO was never content with the status quo and fought for preventive health and quality health outcomes.
The essay comes after Thompson was gunned down outside a Manhattan hotel ahead of a shareholder conference. The suspect, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, was arrested and charged with Thompson’s murder. Some prominent liberals had celebrated the killing on social media, citing their loathing of the health insurance industry and its executives.