A broad range of leaders in the healthcare industry expressed shock and sadness following the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City on Wednesday.
Yet the sympathy voiced by Thompson’s peers was difficult to find among others. Many people on social media sites such as X published posts ranging in nature from unfeeling to outright vicious, suggesting hostility for health insurance companies and the executives who run them.
Thompson, 50, was killed Wednesday morning in what New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described as a “brazen, targeted attack.” The executive was shot multiple times by a masked man outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan around 6:40 a.m. ET, before the start of UnitedHealth’s investor conference. Emergency responders rushed Thompson to a hospital, but he was soon pronounced dead.
A manhunt is still underway for the assailant, who fled into Central Park. The shooter’s motivations remain unclear, but new details suggest Thompson’s tragic killing may be linked to anger against health insurers for restricting access to healthcare.
Thompson’s widow, Paulette, told NBC News that her husband had received threats related to a lack of coverage. The words “deny,” “delay,” “defend” and “depose” may have been found on round and shell casings found at the scene, according to conflicting reporting from CNN, ABC News and the Associated Press, all of which cited police sources.
It’s unclear if the words are related to “delay, deny, defend,” a phrase often used to criticize health insurers for tactics used to avoid paying out claims, allegedly to inflate profits.
By some metrics, customer satisfaction with health insurers has been rising. People tend to think favorably of their own health insurance, though a majority experience problems when they need to use it, according to a survey last year by health policy firm the KFF.
However, other surveys have found anger directed at payers for high healthcare costs: Of adults who agreed medical spending is too high, 90% said insurers bear at least a fair amount of blame, according to separate KFF research from 2019.
And public ire against health insurers seems to be increasing over widespread claims denials and delays of care, often due to a process called prior authorization that requires providers to get an insurer’s permission before performing a medical service.
UnitedHealthcare has borne the brunt of much of the criticism as the largest private insurer in the U.S.
The company, a division of healthcare behemoth UnitedHealth Group, provides medical insurance to 50.7 million Americans, including 7.8 million in Medicare Advantage plans. UnitedHealthcare is the largest issuer of the privatized coverage, which is increasingly popular among seniors but has been criticized for costing taxpayers more in return for less generous coverage than traditional Medicare.
In October, a Senate committee released a report slamming MA insurers, including UnitedHealthcare, for using algorithms to sharply increase the rate of claims denials between 2019 and 2022. UnitedHealthcare has also been sued over its alleged use of the technology to deny claims.
UnitedHealth is also reportedly being investigated by the Department of Justice over anticompetitive concerns.
Social media exploded on Wednesday. Thompson’s death quickly started trending on X and was discussed on Reddit. Many of the posts expressed contempt for health insurers. Some even delighted in Thompson’s killing, spurring X to remove some of the most egregious posts.
When you shoot one man in the street it's murder.
— Please Log Off From This Hellsite (@LogOffAlready) December 4, 2024
When you kill thousands of people in hospitals by taking away their ability to get treatment you're an entrepreneur. https://t.co/rbDQz47zM2
However, on career-focused networking site LinkedIn, a flood of executives — many of whom have interacted with Thompson over his two-decade career in healthcare — extended condolences to Thompson’s family and his employer. UnitedHealth employees also published remembrances of their colleague.
Thompson first joined Minnesota-based UnitedHealth in 2004 as a director of corporate development before rising up the ranks in a variety of insurance and financial leadership roles, according to his LinkedIn. The executive, a graduate of the University of Iowa, was appointed as CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021.
Under his leadership, UnitedHealthcare invested heavily in expanding its value-based offerings, including MA.
Other insurance, provider and pharmaceutical groups, along with some members of Congress, also issued statements sharing shock and sadness at the news.
Here is a roundup of industry reactions to Thompson’s passing. It will be updated as needed.
AHIP President and CEO Michael Tuffin
“Heartbroken and horrified by the loss of my friend Brian Thompson. He was a devoted father, a good friend to many and a refreshingly candid colleague and leader. All of us at AHIP are thinking of Brian’s family and his UnitedHealth Group colleagues at this difficult time.”
Tuffin added in a separate LinkedIn post: “The people in our industry are mission-driven professionals working to make coverage and care as affordable as possible and to help people navigate the complex medical system. They are conscientious, dedicated people from all walks of life who serve their communities. They are our family, friends and neighbors. We condemn any suggestion that threats against our colleagues — or anyone else in our country — are ever acceptable.”
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association President and CEO Kim Keck
"The news of Brian Thompson’s death has shocked and deeply saddened all of us. I knew him to be a visionary leader who developed innovative ideas to take on some of the nation's greatest challenges. His death is a great loss for our country and for the healthcare industry. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues."
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota CEO Dana Erickson
“I cannot express enough how shocked and deeply saddened I am by the tragic death of Brian Thompson. Throughout the industry, Brian was known as a genuine and giving person who brought out the best in his teams with true authenticity and sincerity. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. His loss will be felt profoundly by many.”
Providence Health Plan President and CEO Don Antonucci
“I am heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Brian Thompson. Violence has no place in our society, and its presence in our healthcare community is particularly devastating.
To our colleagues at UnitedHealthcare — our entire Providence Health Plan family stands with you during this unimaginably difficult time. Our hearts are with Brian's family, friends, and the entire UnitedHealthcare team.”
Medicaid Health Plans of America President and CEO Craig Kennedy
“MHPA and our member Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) are saddened to learn of the senseless and untimely passing of United HealthCare CEO Brian Thompson today. Through his work at United, Brian was committed to helping beneficiaries live healthier lives, recognizing the importance of whole-person health care. Emphasizing that a simplified health care experience was optimal, he valued the importance of meeting consumer needs while sustaining positive, trustworthy relationships with providers. And in advocating for the nation’s health care delivery system to work for everyone, he helped ensure that vulnerable, underserved populations have access to quality, affordable, and effective health care. All of us at MHPA extend our deepest condolences to Brian’s family, friends, colleagues, and coworkers.”
Premier President and CEO Michael Alkire
“When UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's life was tragically taken in Manhattan this morning, the country lost a leader committed to improving patient care.
Even more tragic, Brian’s family lost a father, a son and a brother. I can’t imagine their anguish.
The entire Premier Inc. team and I offer our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to Brian’s loved ones and colleagues.
To honor Brian’s memory, we must continue to come together and innovate to improve patient care. That’s the legacy he created over two decades in healthcare.”
National Association of Specialty Pharmacy President and CEO Sheila Arquette
“On behalf of the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP), we are profoundly shocked and heartbroken at the tragic passing of Brian Thompson, UnitedHealthcare CEO. We share in the sadness of our Optum colleagues and friends and are keeping Brian, his family, and all who were close to him in our thoughts, prayers, and heart.”
Pharmaceutical Care Management Association President and CEO JC Scott
“On behalf of PCMA, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. During this difficult time, our thoughts, prayers, and support are with our colleagues at PCMA member OptumRx, the entire UnitedHealth team, and the Thompson family.”
Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks
“We're deeply saddened by the tragic death of Brian Thompson. He was an industry leader and a good partner to Lilly. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the entire UnitedHealthcare team.”
Merck CEO Rob Davis
“I am saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare. His leadership and dedication made a meaningful impact on the health care community. My thoughts are with the Thompson family and all those who worked alongside him.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz
“This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota.
Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.”
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar
“This is a horrifying and shocking act of violence. My thoughts are with Brian Thompson’s family and loved ones and all those working at United Healthcare in Minnesota.”
