UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty recently expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Brian Thompson, who led the company's insurance arm. In a New York Times opinion piece, Witty opened up about the flaws in the U.S. health-care system and the need for reform.

UnitedHealth Group's CEO Addresses Health-Care Woes

Insights on the Health-Care System

Witty emphasized that the current health system is far from ideal and doesn't function as it should. It's a patchwork that has been built over decades without a proper design. He stated, "No one would design a system like the one we have. And no one did." This highlights the urgent need for change.The CEO also pointed out that UnitedHealth Group's mission is to make the system work better. They are willing to partner with various stakeholders such as health care providers, employers, patients, pharmaceutical companies, governments, and others to find ways to deliver high-quality care while lowering costs.

Response to the Fatal Shooting

The shooting of Brian Thompson outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan has had a significant impact. Luigi Mangione, 26, is accused of the fatal act. Investigators have revealed that Mangione was a critic of the health-care industry, a sentiment shared by many Americans.This tragic event has unleashed a wave of pent-up resentment and anger towards the insurance industry. Patients have been sharing their negative experiences on social media, including denied claims, rising premiums, unexpected bills, and a lack of transparency.

Addressing Health-Care Challenges

Witty acknowledged UnitedHealth Group's role in the health-care challenges. He noted that health care is intensely personal and complicated, and the reasons behind coverage decisions are often not well understood. He said, "We share some of the responsibility for that."However, he didn't provide specific details on how to reform the industry. Instead, he emphasized the need for insurers to improve how they explain what is covered and how decisions are made. He also mentioned that behind certain claims decisions, there is a comprehensive and continually updated body of clinical evidence focused on achieving the best health outcomes and ensuring patient safety.Witty paid tribute to Thompson, stating that he had done his best to help patients navigate the health-care system.