The head of UnitedHealthcare's parent company has responded to the insurance giant's CEO Brian Thompson being killed in an accident New York Times guest article On Friday, mourning his death, he also called for work to improve the country's “patchwork” health insurance system.
In the article, Andrew Whitty acknowledged that the health care system is “not perfect” and needs comprehensive reform to work better for everyone, but it is full of good people who should not be demonized.
“While the health system is not perfect, every corner of it is full of people trying to do their best for those they serve,” wrote Whitty, CEO of UnitedHealth Group.
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The CEO of UnitedHealthcare's parent company mourned the killing of Brian Thompson in a guest article for The New York Times and claimed that industry executives were doing the best they could with a flawed system. (AP Photo/UnitedHealth Group via A)
The CEO's op-ed, titled “The health care system is broken. Let's fix it,” comes more than a week after Thompson was shot to death outside a Manhattan hotel before a shareholder conference. The suspect, 26 years old Luigi MangioneHe was arrested Monday and charged with Thompson's murder.
The killings sparked some celebrations on social media among prominent liberals over them hatred The health insurance industry is often accused of putting profits over care.
Former Washington Post correspondent Taylor Lorenz caused a sensation with her reaction to the murder. “People have a well-justified hatred toward insurance CEOs because these CEOs are responsible for an unfathomable amount of death and suffering,” she wrote in a recent Substack article.
She added: “I think it's good to shine a light on this broken system and the people in power who enable it. Again, not to kill them, but so we can change the system and start holding people in power accountable for their actions.” “.
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Luigi Mangione is pictured in a photo in Pennsylvania after his arrest in connection with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
Whitty's column seems to respond to these celebratory remarks, acknowledging that the health care system needs work, but employees don't deserve to be hated or threatened when things don't go smoothly for everyone.
He started with sad words about Thompson murder“We carry a grief and a grief that we will carry for the rest of our lives. A grief for the family he left behind. A grief for a brilliant, kind man who worked to improve health care for all,” he said.
He continued: “However, we also struggle to understand this unconscionable act and the harsh criticism directed at our colleagues who have been subjected to a barrage of threats.” “No employee – whether they are the people who answer customer calls or the nurses who visit patients in their homes – should have to fear for their safety and the safety of their loved ones.”
“We know the health system doesn't work as well as it should, and we understand people's frustration with it,” Whitty admitted. “No one is going to design a system like the one we have. And no one has. It's a patchwork built up over decades. Our job is to help make it work.” better.”
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“Clearly we're not there yet.”
Whitty described Thompson as a health care employee who tried to do his best for his clients.
“Brian was one of those people,” Whitty said, adding, “Brian was never satisfied with the status quo. That's why he pushed us to build dedicated teams to help the sickest people navigate the health system. That's why he fought for preventive health.” And high-quality health outcomes rather than just adding more tests and procedures.”
The late CEO promoted ideas “aimed at making health care more affordable, more transparent, more intuitive, more compassionate — and more humane,” the executive said.
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