In the wake of the shocking assassination-style murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, UnitedHealth Group’s chief executive, Sir Andrew Witty, addressed staff in a leaked internal video, slamming critics of the health insurance industry as “vitriolic” and “not in tune with reality.” The video, shared by independent journalist Ken Klippenstein, has drawn further scrutiny as public anger toward the insurance industry mounts.
United CEO Andrew Witty gave an address to the company today (video leaked to me). Some highlights:
– “we guard against the pressures that exist for unsafe care or for unnecessary care.”
– “There are very few people in the history of the US healthcare industry who had a bigger… pic.twitter.com/7ihMkHAcia— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) December 6, 2024
A Defensive Address Amid Tragedy
Witty’s address to employees, which was shared in full on Klippenstein’s Substack, defended the company’s practices and praised Thompson’s legacy. Speaking from a prepared script, Witty claimed UnitedHealth prioritizes “patients, consumers, and members,” asserting, “We guard against the pressures that exist for unsafe care or unnecessary care.”
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The timing of Witty’s remarks coincides with growing outrage over the health insurance industry’s practices, particularly UnitedHealthcare’s history of denying claims. Critics argue the company’s multi-billion-dollar profits come at the expense of patients’ well-being.
“Tune Out the Noise”
In his nearly three-minute-long video, Witty dismissed public criticism as “a sign of the era in which we live,” urging employees to ignore the uproar on social media. “What we must know is focus on what we know to be true,” he said. Witty emphasized the importance of UnitedHealth’s role in the healthcare system, saying, “We need a company like UnitedHealth Group, and it needs people like Brian within it.”
However, this messaging comes as the Department of Justice investigates Witty for insider trading allegations. While the company denies any wrongdoing, Witty’s $25 million compensation package in 2023 has only fueled public disdain.
“Don’t Engage with the Media”
Witty also advised employees to avoid speaking with journalists, describing media coverage of Thompson’s death and its aftermath as “aggressive, inappropriate, and disrespectful.” He encouraged staff to direct inquiries to UnitedHealth’s media team rather than engage with reporters.
Representatives for UnitedHealth Group have not publicly commented on the leaked video, and Thompson’s bio has been quietly removed from the company’s leadership page following his murder.
A Brazen Act and a National Debate
Thompson was fatally shot outside a Midtown Manhattan Hilton on Wednesday morning, just before he was scheduled to speak at an investor conference. Police believe the killer, who fled on an electric bike, is not a professional hitman. Disturbingly, the bullet casings found at the scene were inscribed with the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” echoing a notorious insurance industry mantra: “delay, deny, defend.”
The suspect, who reportedly used a fake ID to check into a hostel on the Upper West Side, remains at large, although police have released security footage captured at the hostel. While the motive for the killing remains unclear, the violent act has intensified scrutiny of UnitedHealthcare’s practices, particularly its record of denying patients’ claims.
Public Outrage and Dark Satire
Online reactions to Thompson’s murder have been mixed, with some expressing sympathy while others mockingly deride the industry’s failings with dark satire posts. As the manhunt for Thompson’s killer continues, the tragedy has brought renewed attention to the ethics and practices of health insurance companies, leaving UnitedHealth at the center of a national reckoning over its role in the U.S. healthcare system.
Featured image via screengrab
