Photo: CQ-Roll Call, Inc.
Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth Group, admitted that the U.S. health system "does not work as well as it should" following public backlash after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
In a guest essay in The New York Times, Witty stated that the health system is a "patchwork built over decades" and acknowledged the need for better communication about insurance coverage decisions. He emphasized the importance of improving how coverage decisions are explained to the public, noting that these decisions are based on clinical evidence aimed at ensuring patient safety and health outcomes.
The fatal shooting of Thompson, which occurred outside a Manhattan hotel during an investor conference, has intensified public dissatisfaction with health insurance companies. The gunman used ammunition marked with words like "deny," "defend," and "depose," highlighting the frustrations many feel toward insurers. Thompson's death has drawn attention to the practices of UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurer in the U.S., which has faced criticism for its denial of treatments and claims.
The incident has sparked discussions about the broader issues within the health insurance industry, with some experts suggesting that insurers may need to reconsider their practices in response to consumer complaints. According to a CNN report, angry consumers have successfully pressured the industry to change in the past, such as the shift from HMOs to PPOs in the 1990s.