After UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's targeted murderin Manhattan's Hilton Hotel on December 4, companies have started pulling down executive bios and pictures from their corporate websites.
UnitedHealth Group, the parent of UnitedHealthcare, was one of the first companies to respond, yanking down its entire page dedicated to executive leadership shortly after the death of Thompson.
According to Healthcare Dive, Elevance and several BCBS plans followed the steps by removing or limiting online access to information about the executives. CVS Health and Centene also made some steps, pulling the headshots but keeping executive biographies in place. Centene meanwhile moved its investor day next quarter from an in-person New York event to virtual-only for safety reasons.
Social Media Reaction to Thompson's Death
Unlike the corporate world, the death of Thompson has also highlighted the frustrations many feel with the health insurance industry. Social media, including X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, has been filled with criticism of insurers and applause for the crime. The frustration partly stems from the fact that UnitedHealthcare's claim denial rates have received significant attention in recent years. A report found that in 2023, it denied 32% of claims—double the industry average, Fortune reported.
The widow of Thompson revealed that her husband had received threats related to coverage denials before his death. Police are still investigating the motivations of the shooter, but early evidence suggests a connection to public resentment toward the insurance sector. This growing hostility has led insurers to reevaluate their security protocols to protect their executives and employees.
As the industry holds a moment of silence in death, many have been compelled to speak out against violence. UnitedHealth issued a statement of commitment to supporting the Thompson family and cooperating with local law enforcement.
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