UnitedHealth Group CEO admits America’s well being system is ‘flawed’ after Brian Thompson’s homicide

by Technology

In a public response to the outpouring of rage in opposition to medical health insurance firms following the homicide of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s guardian firm admited America’s well being care system “is flawed” as he mourned the lack of a “sensible, type man.”

In an op-ed titled “The well being care system is flawed. Let’s repair it,” printed within the New York Instances on Friday, Andrew Witty, chief govt officer of UnitedHealth Group, wrote that he “understands folks’s frustrations.”

The surprising case has prompted a wave of help for the suspect, Luigi Mangione, who has been charged with Thompson’s homicide and is combating extradition to New York, as People vent their frustrations with the state of well being care.

“We all know the well being system doesn’t work in addition to it ought to, and we perceive folks’s frustrations with it,” Witty mentioned. “Nobody would design a system just like the one now we have.”

The insurance boss also paid tribute to Thompson and his family in the op-ed

The insurance coverage boss additionally paid tribute to Thompson and his household within the op-ed (AP)

Witty insisted that the corporate’s “mission” is to assist make well being protection higher and convey prices down. “We’re keen to associate with anybody, as we at all times have — well being care suppliers, employers, sufferers, pharmaceutical firms, governments and others — to seek out methods to ship high-quality care and decrease prices,” he mentioned.

Nonetheless, within the op-ed he acknowledges: “Clearly, we’re not there but.”

“Along with employers, governments and others who pay for care, we have to enhance how we clarify what insurance coverage covers and the way choices are made,” he wrote. “Behind every determination lies a complete and frequently up to date physique of scientific proof centered on attaining one of the best well being outcomes and guaranteeing affected person security.”

Witty additionally paid tribute to Thompson and his Iowa roots, including that the late CEO wished to make well being care “higher for everybody.”

“As Brian Thompson’s household, buddies and colleagues mourn his killing, we’re bearing a grief and disappointment we are going to carry for the remainder of our lives,” Witty mentioned. “Grief for the household he leaves behind. And grief for an excellent, type man who was working to make well being care higher for everybody.”

He continued: “Brian was by no means content material with the established order. That’s why he pushed us to construct devoted groups to assist the sickest folks navigate the well being system.”

Mangione left behind a three-page note that expressed “an ill will towards corporate America,” investigators have said.

Mangione left behind a three-page notice that expressed “an sick will in direction of company America,” investigators have mentioned. (Equipped/NYPD)

The well being care boss additionally decried the “threats” staff on the firm have confronted since Thompson’s surprising execution on a New York Metropolis road.

“No staff — be they the individuals who reply buyer calls or nurses who go to sufferers of their houses — ought to must worry for his or her and their family members’ security,” he mentioned.

In the meantime, the NYPD’s Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny has revealed that there’s “no indication” that the 26-year-old suspect, who’s believed to have undergone main again surgical procedure final yr, was ever a consumer of UnitedHealthcare. Mangione left behind a three-page notice that expressed “an sick will in direction of company America,” investigators have mentioned.

“We’ve got no indication that he ever was a consumer of UnitedHealthcare, however he does make point out that it’s the fifth largest company in America, which might make it the biggest healthcare group in America,” Kenny mentioned.

An NYPD evaluation obtained by CNN states that Mangione “appeared to view the focused killing of the corporate’s highest-ranking consultant as a symbolic takedown and a direct problem to its alleged corruption and ‘energy video games.’”


#UnitedHealth #Group #CEO #admits #Americas #well being #system #flawed #Brian #Thompsons #homicide


The Unbiased


#UnitedHealth #Group #CEO #admits #Americas #well being #system #flawed #Brian #Thompsons #homicide


Rhian Lubin , 2024-12-13 20:27:00

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Joe Rogan discusses public notion of Brian Thompson’s homicide: ‘It’s a unclean, soiled enterprise’

by Technology

Joe Rogan chalked up the nation’s blended reactions to the deadly capturing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO to the “soiled enterprise” of well being insurance coverage.

Rogan and his friends, filmmakers Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary, mentioned the December 4 loss of life of Brian Thompson on a Midtown Manhattan road on Tuesday’s episode of the mega-popular Joe Rogan Expertise podcast.

The podcaster and his friends predicted there wouldn’t be a lot sympathy for the 50-year-old insurance coverage government as a result of state of medical insurance within the US.

“I don’t assume anyone goes to be crying too laborious over” Thompson’s loss of life, Avary stated.

“Perhaps his household, however that’s about it,” Rogan replied. “It’s a unclean, soiled enterprise. The enterprise of insurance coverage is f***ing gross. It’s gross, particularly healthcare insurance coverage.”

Joe Rogan discusses the public’s reaction to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Joe Rogan discusses the general public’s response to the homicide of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson (Joe Rogan Expertise)

The assault elicited a wide-range of reactions, revealing the general public’s deep-seated frustration over the American well being care system. Some launched GoFundMe pages in help of the suspect, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, others wrote people songs concerning the incident, and plenty of flooded the web with darkish jokes and celebratory posts.

“He’s no hero,” Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stated at a Monday press convention. He added that it’s “disturbing” what number of Individuals have “regarded to have a good time as a substitute of condemning this killer.”

After a six-day manhunt for the masked suspect who police consider carried out the “focused” capturing, Mangione was charged Monday with second-degree homicide.

Luigi Mangione, 26, a suspect in the New York City killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson, arrives for an extradition hearing at Blair County Court House in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. December 10, 2024.

Luigi Mangione, 26, a suspect within the New York Metropolis killing of UnitedHealth government Brian Thompson, arrives for an extradition listening to at Blair County Court docket Home in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. December 10, 2024. (REUTERS)

His arrest got here after a McDonald’s worker in Altoona, Pennsylvania acknowledged Mangione from the photographs of the suspect circulated by the NYPD. The Ivy League graduate additionally faces gun fees in Pennsylvania.

“I don’t assume this man was knowledgeable,” Rogan stated. “I believe this man, if I needed to guess, was some man who obtained f***ed over.”

Pals of Mangione have stated that he suffered from debilitating again ache and underwent spinal surgical procedure in 2023. He fell off the grid shortly thereafter, these near him informed the New York Occasions. His mom even reported the 26-year-old lacking mere weeks earlier than the capturing, the San Francisco Customary reported.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan on December 4 in what police say was a ‘targeted’ attack

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan on December 4 in what police say was a ‘focused’ assault (AP)

The motive for the capturing remains to be being explored. His protection lawyer has stated he expects his shopper to plead not responsible to each the New York and Pennsylvania fees. Mangione appeared Tuesday at an extradition listening to, the place he contested being moved to New York and a choose denied him bail.

“It’s utterly out of contact and an insult to the intelligence of the American individuals and their lived expertise!” a handcuffed Mangione yelled whereas being escorted into the courthouse.

Additionally they mentioned the medical insurance big’s declare denial fee. UnitedHealthcare denies paying about one-third of its claims, based on ValuePenguin.

The Unbiased has reached out to a consultant for UnitedHealthcare for touch upon its alleged denial fee.


#Joe #Rogan #discusses #public #notion #Brian #Thompsons #homicide #soiled #soiled #enterprise


The Unbiased


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Kelly Rissman , 2024-12-12 10:43:00

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Brian Thompson’s masked taking pictures suspect seen in new pictures in again of taxi

by Technology

The New York Police Division has launched new pictures of the person suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

In these footage, launched Saturday evening, the suspect is seen in a black coat with a masks on stepping into the again of a cab. This comes after the division launched the primary unmasked picture of the suspect earlier this week. The NYPD is providing a $10,000 reward for data, whereas the FBI is providing $50,000.

Extra to return…


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The Impartial


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Katie Hawkinson , 2024-12-08 14:16:00

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NYPD probes concept UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer may very well be disgruntled worker or shopper

by Technology

Investigators consider the one who fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outdoors a Midtown Manhattan lodge earlier this week “may probably be a disgruntled worker or a disgruntled shopper,” in accordance with NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.

“This isn’t ‘Blue Bloods,’” Kenny mentioned at a press convention on Friday, referring to a well-liked TV present starring Tom Selleck. “We’re not going to unravel this in 60 minutes. We’re painstakingly going by way of each little bit of proof that we will come throughout.”

Kenny mentioned the three phrases etched into rounds and shell casings discovered on the crime scene – “delay,” “deny,” and “depose” – prompt the shooter’s attainable motive. They seem to reference a 2010 e-book by Rutgers Legislation professor Jay Feinman, Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance coverage Firms Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It. (Feinman declined to remark when reached by The Impartial.)

The “web is closing in” on the as-yet unidentified gunman, New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams, himself a former NYPD captain, mentioned Saturday.

Nonetheless, cops have thus far been unable to find or establish the suspect, whose distinctive gray backpack was discovered Friday night alongside the shooter’s escape route by way of Central Park, a full three days after Thompson was shot lifeless.

Police are analyzing a trail of clues in their attempt to home in on the suspect, seen here in a rare unmasked moment, in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Police are analyzing a path of clues of their try and dwelling in on the suspect, seen right here in a uncommon unmasked second, within the deadly capturing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson (NYPD)

Police have thus far gathered a “enormous quantity” of clues, together with fingerprints, DNA, and video footage of the suspect’s actions from surveillance cameras mounted all through the town, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch advised CNN.

Police suppose the suspect might have killed Thompson with a veterinary gun, a near-silent nine-millimeter firearm utilized by farmers and ranchers to place down livestock, in accordance with Kenny.

On the similar time, the brazen killing of Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, has been celebrated by many People who blame the medical insurance trade writ massive, and UnitedHealthcare specifically, for prioritizing earnings over folks. A number of singer-songwriters have posted homicide ballads lionizing the shooter as he continues to evade seize.

“I need to have sympathy for the household of Brian Thompson — and I take into consideration that,” one advised The Impartial.

A New York City Police officer walks through brush and foliage in Central Park near 64th Street and Central Park West where the backpack was found

A New York Metropolis Police officer walks by way of brush and foliage in Central Park close to sixty fourth Road and Central Park West the place the backpack was discovered (Copyright 2024 The Related Press. All rights reserved.)

“After which I additionally take into consideration the hundreds of people that’ve misplaced family members, or who’re as much as their neck in medical debt. And I believe folks perceive at a elementary stage that no one needs to be primarily killed for being poor. It’s a really form of callous response, however in quite a lot of methods it’s justified.”

The suspect arrived in New York Metropolis on a Greyhound bus that originated in Atlanta, police mentioned, however they don’t know exactly the place he boarded. After capturing Thompson, the masked shooter then fled on an electrical bicycle, rode by way of Central Park to the Higher West aspect, then hailed a cab which took him to the Port Authority’s George Washington Bridge Bus Station within the Washington Heights part of Higher Manhattan, police mentioned. Because the suspect was not seen exiting the bus station, investigators consider he left city by bus, as nicely.

NYPD officers mentioned they’re working now to rule out a tip that the suspect left New York by airplane. Customs and border patrol businesses on each side of the Mexican and Canadian borders have additionally been suggested to be looking out for the suspect in case he tries to depart the nation, a legislation enforcement supply advised CNN.

The NYPD put up a $10,000 reward for info resulting in the suspect’s arrest, and has fielded numerous numbers of ideas, authorities mentioned. The Atlanta Police Division is now aiding with the investigation, as is the FBI, which is providing a $50,000 reward of its personal.


#NYPD #probes #concept #UnitedHealthcare #CEO #Brian #Thompsons #killer #disgruntled #worker #shopper


The Impartial


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Justin Rohrlich , 2024-12-07 19:24:00

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UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s homicide leaves path of unknowns

by Technology

The gunman who fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson exterior a New York Metropolis resort on Wednesday remains to be at massive – however police seem like honing in on the suspect’s identification as their search intensifies.

Thompson, a 50-year-old Minnesota resident, was attributable to converse at an investor assembly when he was gunned down at point-blank vary round 6:45 a.m. exterior the New York Hilton Midtown on sixth Avenue in what police are calling a “focused assault.”

The suspect was final seen biking out of Central Park on West eighty fifth Avenue simply earlier than 7 a.m. Wednesday about 12 minutes after biking into the park on an e-bike, in accordance with footage obtained by NBC Information.

As a manhunt continues a day later, police have requested the general public for assist and provided a $10,000 reward for info, however there are nonetheless many unanswered questions on who the suspect is and the place he may very well be.

Who’s the shooter?

The gunman was mendacity in watch for Thompson exterior the Hilton on Wednesday morning earlier than opening fireplace. His identify has not been launched, neither is there a transparent image of his face. At this level, no person has taken duty for the slaying.

The suspect was captured on digicam at a close-by Starbucks. Photos from surveillance footage present the suspect to be a person carrying all black, with a black face masks, black and white sneakers and carrying a grey backpack.

Police say the assault on Thompson was focused but it surely’s unclear if the two knew one another.

Images from surveillance footage show the suspect at a nearby Starbucks minutes before the shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in midtown New York City

Photos from surveillance footage present the suspect at a close-by Starbucks minutes earlier than the capturing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in midtown New York Metropolis

“He appeared to attend for his supposed goal,” New York Police Division commissioner Jessica Tisch stated Wednesday throughout a press convention. “I wish to be clear: Right now, each indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, focused assault.”

Throughout his escape, the gunman appeared to drop a water bottle he had bought from Starbucks half-hour earlier than the assault, which might present very important DNA proof in serving to establish the suspect.

The alleged killer left behind a cryptic message, with the phrases “deny,” “depose,” and “defend” have been allegedly inscribed on stay rounds and shell casing left exterior.

What was the motive?

Police haven’t launched an official motive for the capturing – however many have speculated the killing may be related to Thompson’s function in working one of many nation’s largest medical insurance firms.

Police described the killing as a “focused assault,” and it was later revealed that the gunman left behind a cryptic message on the scene.

Three words were carved into the live rounds and shell casings found outside the Hilton Hotel in New York City

Three phrases have been carved into the stay rounds and shell casings discovered exterior the Hilton Lodge in New York Metropolis

Based on police sources, the three phrases “deny,” “depose” and “defend” have been carved into the stay rounds and shell casings discovered exterior the Hilton Lodge.

A number of of the bullets have been every inscribed with one of many three phrases.

The phrases are just like the guide Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance coverage Corporations Don’t Pay Declare and What You Can Do About It by Rutgers Legislation Faculty Jay Feinman which provides a scathing evaluation of the U.S. insurance coverage business.

Why did he not have safety with him?

Thompson was the chief government of UnitedHealthcare, the insurance coverage wing of guardian firm UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

He had labored on the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based firm for 20 years and led its insurance coverage division since 2021. He was one of many firm’s highest-paid executives, with a $10.2 million annual compensation bundle.

His spouse stated he had just lately obtained threats from indignant clients over complaints she believed could have needed to do with “an absence of protection.”

“I don’t know particulars,” Paulette Thompson informed NBC Information. “I simply know that he stated there have been some those who had been threatening him.”

Thompson, a 50-year-old Minnesota resident, had worked at the Minnetonka-based company for two decades and led its insurance division since 2021

Thompson, a 50-year-old Minnesota resident, had labored on the Minnetonka-based firm for 20 years and led its insurance coverage division since 2021 (AP)

Regardless of the alleged threats, Thompson didn’t have safety with him on the morning of the capturing.

Nonetheless, the Related Press reported that Thompson stored a low profile, with UnitedHealth Group Inc.’s CEO Andrew Witty taking over a extra public-facing function that included testifying earlier than Congress.

Eric Werner, chief of police for Maple Grove, Minnesota,- the place Thomspon lived – stated his division had not obtained any reviews of threats in opposition to the chief.


#UnitedHealthcare #CEO #Brian #Thompsons #homicide #leaves #path #unknowns


The Unbiased


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Andrea Cavallier , 2024-12-05 15:51:00