Mon Dec 09 23:29:55 UTC 2024: ## UnitedHealth CEO Defends Company Amidst Backlash Following Executive’s Murder
**NEW YORK** – UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty has defended the health insurance industry against a wave of online criticism following the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. In a leaked internal video obtained by independent journalist Ken Klippenstein, Witty dismissed the criticism as “vitriolic” and “not in tune with reality.”
Witty, speaking directly to UnitedHealth employees, insisted the company prioritizes patient care and safeguards against unnecessary or unsafe medical procedures. He urged employees to ignore the negative commentary, stating it doesn’t reflect the reality of the company’s work. He praised Thompson’s legacy and emphasized the vital role UnitedHealth plays in the US healthcare system.
The video’s release follows the shocking murder of Thompson, who was shot dead outside a Manhattan hotel earlier this week. The killer, still at large, remains unidentified, but police have recovered bullet casings inscribed with words echoing the insurance industry adage “delay, deny, defend,” fueling public anger and speculation about a possible connection between the killing and industry practices.
The incident has sparked intense online discussion, with some reactions expressing callous disregard for Thompson’s death. Meanwhile, UnitedHealth has removed Thompson’s biography from its website.
Witty’s address also included advice for employees to avoid engaging with media inquiries, citing misinformation and disrespectful coverage. The company is facing a Department of Justice investigation into insider trading allegations, a fact that adds another layer of complexity to the current situation. UnitedHealth representatives have not yet commented publicly on the leaked video or the ongoing investigation. The NYPD continues its manhunt for Thompson’s killer.
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