UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson wanted to improve companys public image before he was gunned down: report

Slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson warned his colleagues about the health insurance company’s public relations issues in early 2024 as he tried to mend their reputation, according to a report.Thompson “understood that the public was frustrated with what they perceived the company’s actions to be,” according to one person who spoke to The Washington Post anonymously.“He was actively articulating a vision that helped better educate and help people better understand what the company is doing.”The typical American can lack an understanding of insurance conglomerates’ roles in the healthcare system, and it only becomes more convoluted when you have to consider the differences between the nearly 1,000 existing health insurance companies.Thompson, 50, insisted during internal conversations that he understood the public’s growing confusion, including UnitedHealthcare’s work towards eliminating out-of-pocket costs for lifesaving drugs, colleagues told The Washington Post.

Thompson proved to be a key leader in the industry during the coronavirus pandemic.Congress had set aside billions of dollars in emergency payments for healthcare organizations, but lacked a partner to transfer the money to the groups in need.

Thompson told federal officials that UnitedHealthcare’s banking arm could push the funds to hospitals and other providers in one week.The over $135 billion funds distributed kept thousands of hospitals and providers across the country from having to shut down during the pandemic.Thompson was promoted to CEO just one year later.“We know that millions of our members experience complex health issues each year, throughout the year,” Thompson said in November 2022 public remarks.

“We can help carry the burden.”UnitedHealthcare, among other health insurance providers, have faced scrutiny for years, peaking in the last few months as they faced numerous investigations.UnitedHealthcare and other health insurance providers had high rates of...