UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty told employees he would increase security, including “perimeter protection,” at the company’s sites following the killing of one of their colleagues, CEO of the company’s health insurance business, Brian Thompson.
Related: Clues emerge, but no arrests yet as New York police hunt for the healthcare CEO’s killer
In comments shared with the Guardian, Witty said the company would make “permanent” changes that would make campuses less “hospitable,” but those were necessary in the country’s current “climate.”
“We guard against pressures to provide unsafe or unnecessary care, in ways that make the entire system overly complex and ultimately unsustainable,” Witty said, according to comments shared with the Guardian.
“I have never been more proud of what this company and our colleagues are doing for the people of this country. I urge you to ignore the negative messages you hear on social media,” Witty said.
Witty made the comments in light of online vitriol in response to the killing of Thompson, a 50-year-old CEO of United HealthCare who is survived by two sons and his wife, Paulette.
Thompson was killed early Wednesday morning in downtown Manhattan, just outside the site of the company’s annual investor meeting, by an unknown assailant who shot the executive at least twice and then fled on an e-bike.
Police are still searching for the suspect and have released photos and information about items found at the scene, including shell casings with the words “deny,” “deposit” and “defend.” The motive for the murder is unknown.
The killing has been strongly condemned by lawmakers such as Minnesota Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, who took to social media to describe Thompson’s death as a “horrific and shocking act of violence.”
In response to questions about the webcast and comments, a spokesperson for UnitedHealth Group referred the Guardian to a published statement: “While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime occurred. place.
So many patients, consumers, healthcare professionals, associations, government officials and other caring people have taken the time to reach out. We are grateful even as we grieve.
Our priorities are first and foremost supporting Brian’s family; ensuring the safety of our employees; and work with law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice.
We, at UnitedHealth Group, will continue to be there for those who depend on us for their healthcare.
We ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy as they mourn the loss of their husband, father, brother and friend.”
In an employee webcast shared with the Guardian, Witty said the company would provide “as much support as we could to Brian’s family” and “for as long as the family needs us”.
Witty then turned to the security of the company’s sites: “We have also worked hard to ensure that those with security concerns, individually, but perhaps more importantly to our sites, continue to be assessed and reinforced and to ensuring we have all appropriate mechanisms in place to keep our organization and our people safe.”
The CEO also said the company will strengthen the “perimeter protection” of UHC campuses as time goes by.
“We will see permanent changes that will make our venues less welcoming, especially to guests and visitors, but it is a necessary change in the changing climate in this country,” Witty said.
The comments come as company CEOs are on edge following Thompson’s death, and as political violence researchers warn that the online reaction to the killing is evidence of the growing acceptability of violence as a means of resolving conflict in the US. unload.
In another part of what appears to be the same webcast, Witty also slams media coverage of Thompson’s death.
“I’d like to give you some advice about the media,” Witty said in a video obtained by reporter Ken Klippenstein and republished by the Daily Beast. “My strong advice and request to everyone is: do not engage with the media. If you are approached, I advise you not to respond and, if necessary, simply refer you to our own media organization.”
