Andrew Whitty, CEO of UnitedHealth Group, speaks at the “Hacking America’s Healthcare: How Healthcare Cyberattacks Are Changing and What’s Next” presentation at the Dirk Sen Building in Washington, DC, on May 1, 2024. Testifying at a Senate Finance Committee hearing titled “Assessing Developments.”
Tom Williams | Cq-roll Call Inc. | Getty Images
united health group CEO Andrew Whitty on Friday mourned the death of Brian Thompson, who led the company’s insurance division, and acknowledged that the U.S. health care system is “flawed” and in need of reform.
“We know our health care system is not working as well as we should, and we understand people’s frustrations about it,” Whitty said in an op-ed for the New York Times. “No one would design a system like the one we have. And no one did. It’s a patchwork built over decades.”
UnitedHealth Group’s “mission is to help make it work better,” he said.
“As always, we will work with everyone – providers, employers, patients, pharmaceutical companies and governments – to find ways to deliver high-quality care and reduce costs.” added Mr Whitty.
The New York Times article is Witty’s first public comment since last week’s shooting death of Thompson, CEO of United Healthcare, the largest private insurance company in the United States. United Healthcare Group is the nation’s largest healthcare conglomerate based on revenue. Since Mr. Thompson’s death on Dec. 4, the company’s market capitalization has fallen by nearly $475 billion.
Luigi Mangione, 26, is accused of fatally shooting Thompson outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan as the CEO was on his way to an investor presentation for UnitedHealth Group. Investigators say Mangione has criticized the medical industry, a view widely held among Americans.
The killing unleashed a wave of pent-up resentment and anger against the insurance industry, which has become a popular villain, blamed for soaring medical costs and poor access to treatment. From claim denials, high premiums, and unexpected charges to an overall lack of transparency, patients are flooding social media with stories about their own negative experiences with insurance. .
Still, the murder comes after a tough year for insurance companies under pressure to boost profits. This year in particular, companies faced increased medical costs as seniors opted for surgeries that had been postponed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Whitty acknowledged UnitedHealth Group’s role in U.S. health care issues
“Health care is both deeply personal and highly complex, and the reasons behind coverage decisions are not well understood,” Whitty said, adding, “We all share the responsibility. We’re sharing it,” he said.
He did not say specifically what could be done to reform the industry. But Whitty said the company needs to work with employers, governments and other payers to improve the way insurers explain what they cover and how decisions are made. said.
He added that behind certain claims decisions there is “a comprehensive and continually updated body of clinical evidence focused on achieving the best health outcomes and ensuring patient safety.” said.
Whitty said Thompson did his best to help patients navigate the health care system.