Health System: A CEO’s Call for Change After a Tragedy

In a New York Times op-ed, UnitedHealth Group's CEO, Andrew Witty, acknowledged problems in the health care system following the murder of CEO Brian Thompson. Witty condemned the online vitriol directed at the industry after the Dec. 4 shooting in Midtown Manhattan. The alleged shooter, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, who pleaded not guilty, wrote a manifesto criticizing the health care system but was not insured by UnitedHealthcare. Witty emphasized Thompson's focus on improving consumer experiences, recalling his humble beginnings on a farm in Iowa. He admitted the health care system is flawed and needs fixing. The system is a complex web built over decades, and no one would intentionally design it this way. Witty asserted that Thompson pushed for bettering the system, advocating for preventive health and transparent costs for consumers. He decried the threats faced by their workers while mourning Thompson's loss. Witty vowed to make the health care system work better, emphasizing that Thompson was dedicated to helping individuals navigate it effectively.