The head of UnitedHealthcare's parent company has responded to the murder of the insurance giant's CEO, Brian Thompson. New York Times guest essay On Friday, he mourned his death and called for efforts to improve the country's “patchwork” health insurance system.
In his article, Andrew Whitty says that the health system is “not perfect” and needs an overhaul to make it work better for everyone, but there are good people who should not be demonized. He admitted that it was full of people.
“Our health care system is not perfect, but it is filled with people who are committed to doing what's best for people in every corner of our health care system,” wrote UnitedHealth Group CEO Whitty. are.
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The CEO of UnitedHealthcare's parent company mourned the killing of Brian Thompson in a guest essay for the New York Times, arguing that industry executives were doing the best they could with a flawed system. (AP Photo/UnitedHealth Group, via A)
The CEO's essay, titled “Our health care system is flawed. Let's fix it,” was written more than a week after Mr. Thompson was shot outside a Manhattan hotel ahead of a shareholder meeting. The suspect, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, was arrested on Monday and charged with Thompson's murder.
The killing sparked some celebration on social media among prominent liberals due to their disgust with the health insurance industry, which is often accused of putting profits before health care.
Former Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz made waves for her response to the killings. In a recent Substack article, she said, “People's hatred of insurance company CEOs is very justified because these executives are responsible for untold amounts of death and suffering.” I wrote it.
She went on to say, “I think it's good to call out this broken system and the people in power that enable it. Again, I'm not here to get them killed, but to change the system.” , to start holding those in power accountable for their actions.” . ”
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Luigi Mangione is pictured in a Pennsylvania mugshot after being arrested in connection with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
Whitty's column responded to those congratulatory remarks, acknowledging that the health care system needs work, but that employees don't deserve hate and threats when things aren't running smoothly for everyone. .
He began with somber words about Thompson's murder, saying, “We carry a lifetime of grief and sadness. Grief for the family he left behind. And for the intelligent and kind man who worked to bring happiness. It's a sadness,” he said. Healthcare will be better for everyone. ”
“However, we too are struggling to understand this unconscionable act and the vitriol directed at our colleagues who have been threatened.” “Employees no longer have to worry about the safety of themselves or their loved ones, whether they are answering customer calls or nurses visiting patients in their homes.”
“We know that our health care system is not working as well as we should, and we understand people's frustrations with it,” Whitty said. “Who designs the system that we have? “And no one designed it. It's a patchwork built over several decades.” Our mission is to help it work better. ”
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“Obviously, we're not there yet.”
The resourceful Mr. Thompson promoted himself as a medical professional who tried to do what was best for his clients.
“Brian was one of those people,” Whitty said. “Brian was never satisfied with the status quo, which is why he created a dedicated team to help the sickest people navigate the health care system. He encouraged us to build a team. That's why he fought for preventive health care.” Delivering quality health outcomes, not just adding more tests or procedures. ”
The executive said the late CEO promoted ideas “aimed at making health care more affordable, more transparent, more intuitive, more compassionate and more humane.”
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