Carine Hajjar, a member of the Boston Globe editorial board, spoke with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. And responded to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., on ‘Varney & Co.’ rationalizing the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Vitti wrote an op-ed calling for health care reform after his fellow UnitedHealthcare CEO. Brian ThompsonHe was killed in a targeted attack last week while visiting the company’s annual investor day in New York City.
Vitti’s guest essay was published Friday the new York TimesAnd he wrote that while he and his colleagues “appreciate the outpouring of support for Brian,” who runs UnitedHealth Group’s insurance division, they are also “struggling to understand this unconscionable act and the vitriol directed at our colleagues.” Who has been unnerved by threats.”
“No worker — whether they’re people answering customer calls or nurses visiting patients in their homes — should have to fear for their own safety or the safety of their loved ones,” Witty wrote. He said the company wants to help improve it. health care system,
“We know the health system doesn’t work as well as it should, and we understand people’s frustration with it. No one would design a system like ours. And no one built it for decades. There’s a patchwork,” Vitti explained. “We are ready to partner with anyone, as we always do, to find ways to provide higher quality care and lower costs – health care providers, employers, patients, pharmaceutical companies, governments and others.”
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty said the company wants to continue to push for health care reform in memory of slain executive Brian Thompson. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Vitti said that “the reasons behind coverage decisions are not well understood” and that some responsibility for this is shared by the health care and insurance companies he leads. He said employers, governments and others who pay for health care “need to improve the way we explain What does insurance cover? And how decisions are made.”
| anchor | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| uhhh | UnitedHealth Group Inc. | 610.20 | +1.82 |
+0.30% |
“Behind every decision lies a comprehensive and constantly updated body of clinical evidence focused on achieving the best health outcomes and ensuring patient safety,” Vitti wrote. “Although the health system is not perfect, every corner of it is full of people who try to do their best for those they serve.”
‘Wanted’ posters go up for health care officials in New York City
UnitedHealthcare is the insurance business of UnitedHealth Group. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/Getty Images)
CEO of UnitedHealth Group noted that Thompson advocated ways to improve the health care system, such as allowing the company to “create teams dedicated to helping the sickest people navigate the health system.” He also said Thompson “championed plans where consumers could see costs and coverage options up front, so they could decide what was best for them and their family.”
Witty wrote, “The ideas he advocated were aimed at making health care more affordable, more transparent, more intuitive, more compassionate – and more humane.” “This is Brian’s legacy, which we will carry forward by continuing his work to make the health system better for everyone.”
Neighbor of Brian Thompson, fellow CEO, talks fear of violence after shooting: ‘We’re all worried’
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in New York City on December 4. (Fox 5 New York/WNYW | UnitedHealth/Fox News)
Vitti’s op-ed comes after Thompson killed in crossfire On the way to the company’s investor day in Manhattan on Dec. 4.
Murder suspect Mohd. luigi mangioneHe was arrested after a manhunt in Pennsylvania and when he was captured he expressed hostility toward the health care industry in his writings.
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The New York Police Department and UnitedHealthcare confirmed Thursday that Mangione was not a customer of the insurance company. The NYPD said it may have targeted the company because of its size and influence within the industry.
The company’s shares are down 4% this week after falling nearly 10% the week of the shooting.
