UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a key figure in the health care industry, was fatally shot in Manhattan on Wednesday, putting a spotlight on the massive health insurance provider that covers over 49 million Americans. Thompson had been with UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and was leading its insurance arm at the time of his death.
Thompson’s $281 billion revenue-generating business made him one of the highest-paid executives in the company, but he remained relatively unknown outside the industry. However, his work on shifting the company towards “value-based care,” focusing on keeping patients healthy rather than treating them once sick, drew attention in recent years.
In 2021, UnitedHealthcare faced criticism for plans to deny payment for non-critical emergency room visits, a decision Thompson responded to by delaying the rollout of the change. The company’s response was viewed as a necessary step to prevent patients from facing financial penalties for seeking emergency care.
The shooting of Thompson, a married father of two, shocked the nation and raised questions about his motive. According to the New York Police Department, the assailant, who was masked, shot Thompson before fleeing the scene on an e-bike into Central Park.
Investigators are currently reviewing Thompson’s social media accounts and conducting interviews with employees and family members to determine the motive behind the shooting. The tragic incident has left the health care industry in mourning and has brought UnitedHealthcare, as well as Thompson’s impactful leadership, into the national spotlight.
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