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BumRushDaShow

(144,197 posts)
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 06:11 AM Dec 7

UnitedHealthcare is increasing security after Brian Thompson's killing, executive says

Source: The Guardian

Fri 6 Dec 2024 16.50 EST
Last modified on Fri 6 Dec 2024 18.42 EST


The CEO of UnitedHealth Group, Andrew Witty, told employees he would increase security, including “perimeter protection”, at the company’s sites following the killing of one of their colleagues, CEO of the company’s health insurance branch Brian Thompson.

In comments shared with the Guardian, Witty said the company would make “permanent” changes that would make campuses less “welcoming”, but they were necessary in the country’s current “climate”.

“We guard against the pressures that exist for unsafe or unnecessary care to be delivered, in a way that makes the whole system too complex and ultimately unsustainable,” Witty said, according to comments shared with the Guardian. “I have never been more proud of what this company and our colleagues do on behalf of the people in this country. I urge you to tune out the negative messaging you hear on social media,” Witty said.

Witty made the comments in the face of online vitriol in response to the killing of Thompson, a 50-year-old CEO of United HealthCare, who is survived by two sons and his wife, Paulette. Thompson was killed early Wednesday morning in midtown Manhattan, just outside the site of the company’s annual investor meeting, by an unknown assailant who shot the executive at least twice and then fled on an ebike.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/06/united-healthcare-shooting-increased-security

53 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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UnitedHealthcare is increasing security after Brian Thompson's killing, executive says (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Dec 7 OP
Quickly demonstrating that they learned the wrong lesson n/t gilpo Dec 7 #1
And quickly assuring that the right lesson isn't even considered. Think. Again. Dec 7 #3
It was *never* considered. durablend Dec 7 #11
Right! Magoo48 Dec 7 #18
Have they asked for "prior authorization" from those covered to do that? Think. Again. Dec 7 #2
It's weird they would do that now that it's a pre-existing condition. nt Gore1FL Dec 7 #4
Your healthcare premiums at work! otchmoson Dec 7 #5
Yes, This murder may inspire others to get an assault rifle and attack UHC business offices. Jacson6 Dec 7 #6
Agreed DENVERPOPS Dec 7 #32
Ensuring Predatory Capitalism continues. . . Emile Dec 7 #7
Personal Note C0RI0LANUS Dec 7 #8
I'm thinking the shooter Dyedinthewoolliberal Dec 7 #12
I can't think of any other motive. C0RI0LANUS Dec 7 #13
Can't think of any other motive? Do we know the dude didn't just sleep with someone's wife? jvill Dec 7 #16
Not looking like that was the case........ Bengus81 Dec 7 #21
Sure, except the company has already confirmed this by locking down their campuses - TBF Dec 7 #33
Great movie about this very topic. And the documentary Sicko. Bengus81 Dec 7 #22
Thanks for reminding me of "Sicko" by Michael Moore. One footnote about Canada. C0RI0LANUS Dec 7 #31
paid hitman?nt orleans Dec 7 #42
Good point, orleans, perhaps with the same underlying motive of vengeance or retribution. C0RI0LANUS Dec 7 #46
Nothing about Icanthinkformyself Dec 7 #9
Freedom & liberty are costly ... let the rich pay the price NotHardly Dec 7 #29
Maybe they should focus on their bad policies instead. travelingthrulife Dec 7 #10
These assholes LOVE doing cost/benefit analyses. Aristus Dec 7 #14
Their idea of cost/benefit analyses meow2u3 Dec 7 #15
Corporate ticks ! Nigrum Cattus Dec 7 #24
This is all so odd. Do we know the dude didn't just shove the wrong kid in a locker in high school? jvill Dec 7 #17
Another excuse for them Quanto Magnus Dec 7 #19
People remember the woman that worked for Aetna testifying before Congress years ago? Bengus81 Dec 7 #20
Do the execs know their faces and info are still online? 50 Shades Of Blue Dec 7 #23
The executives are all smiling and beaming! Ain't life grand? C0RI0LANUS Dec 7 #47
Make them pay for their own security - Nigrum Cattus Dec 7 #25
Wouldn't do any good DENVERPOPS Dec 7 #34
... orangecrush Dec 7 #26
Someone said social security isn't a one way benefit Marthe48 Dec 7 #27
Time for pitch forks & torches...history calls for French Rev. 2.0 NotHardly Dec 7 #28
Same reasons: starvation, poverty, disease Marthe48 Dec 7 #30
No kidding Marthe DENVERPOPS Dec 7 #36
I read all that I could that Steinbeck wrote Marthe48 Dec 7 #37
I truthfully believe DENVERPOPS Dec 7 #41
I think it is on some of the banned book lists now Marthe48 Dec 7 #43
Yes the income multiplier for the bottom 80% is way higher than the 1%'s IbogaProject Dec 7 #48
A few minimum wage security guards will definitely make a diff, you betcha boy. nt yaesu Dec 7 #35
They will hire top of the line guards. American people will have to pay for it. Irish_Dem Dec 7 #39
Yes, it's easily paid for: a premium increase here, another denial of service there ... JustABozoOnThisBus Dec 8 #52
Yep. Just increase the insurance scam, kill more people via denial of service. Irish_Dem Dec 8 #53
Even more claims will be denied now to pay for the increased security. Irish_Dem Dec 7 #38
UHC executives are never going to go all introspective and think, "maybe Brian's murder means dobleremolque Dec 7 #40
They'll never do that because that would force them--and the entire health insurance industry--to reckon with their Karasu Dec 7 #49
well, if you've got this insurance company it would appear that either your premiums will be going up orleans Dec 7 #44
May you all need gated walls and electric fences. You have ruined our country with your predatory "healthcare." FU Evolve Dammit Dec 7 #45
Americans seem strangely apathetic about this murder Deminpenn Dec 8 #50
The new 'Robber Barons'. Joinfortmill Dec 8 #51

durablend

(8,019 posts)
11. It was *never* considered.
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 09:28 AM
Dec 7

Last edited Sat Dec 7, 2024, 11:40 AM - Edit history (2)

Watch the "feel good" campaigns start soon. " (so and so healthcare), we're looking out for YOU"

Magoo48

(5,536 posts)
18. Right!
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 12:29 PM
Dec 7

Serve your customers honestly and with compassion while compensating your execs and shareholders reasonably, and you won’t need better security

Jacson6

(840 posts)
6. Yes, This murder may inspire others to get an assault rifle and attack UHC business offices.
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 07:25 AM
Dec 7

30 years ago a school massacre inspired other people to commit more school massacres. And with members of the public supporting the murder of the UHC CEO I'm sure those that would do this would see that they could become heroes instead of villains.

DENVERPOPS

(10,147 posts)
32. Agreed
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 03:49 PM
Dec 7

Two things:

There will be those denied some potential life saving health procedure, that will figure, what the hell...... They will think of the denial as a death sentence, so what do they have to lose in taking revenge on the Health Insurance Corporations and Executives......After all, these executives and Health Insurance Corporations are basically practicing medicine without a license, and therefore are criminals.......

I predict there is gonna be a massive draining of our Special Forces, going to work in the the Corporate world, as upper executives Body guards, for tons more than the military pays them........Not just the CEO, but all top executives, officers, and Board of Directors.

I remember there were reports during W's administration that all the top egomaniacal Bush Administration all felt THEY were so important that THEY needed Secret Service protection. (None of those positions previously had ever had SS protection.) And it put a huge strain on the Secret Service's Manpower............

C0RI0LANUS

(1,862 posts)
8. Personal Note
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 08:05 AM
Dec 7

I know somebody who, if they were strapped to a polygraph machine, had his hand placed on every book of faith under the sun, and have Torquemada stare right him in the eye, will attest and swear unblinkingly and unwaveringly that AARP Medicare Advantage from United HealthCare KILLED his suffering mother.

A hospital administrator called the son on Friday at 1300 HRS to say that United Healthcare was going to stop the coverage for his terminally ill, immobile, and incontinent mother on Sunday. This gave the son less than 24 hours notice to find an affordable hospice with the weekend approaching. The costs of caring for his mother exceeded $40,000 per month and the family couldn't afford that out of pocket.

The son called UHC to make an appeal (which they recorded), but was ultimately denied. Needless to say, things did not go well for the family after that.

This family bought the smoothly-advertised package below "hook, line, and sinker" and paid the premiums (or allowed deductions to be made from their Medicare accounts) for decades.





When you visit someone elderly and you see an obscenity like this on anybody's desk, kitchen top, dining room table, or coffee table, do them a favor and throw it away forthwith. Similarly, if a ubiquitous UnitedHealthcare advertisement is airing on their TV, please change channels immediately.










Dyedinthewoolliberal

(15,944 posts)
12. I'm thinking the shooter
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 09:42 AM
Dec 7

is someone like that. Lost a patent, grandparent, spouse, partner, child or similar due to a decision to place money before human life as administered by United Health Care.

C0RI0LANUS

(1,862 posts)
13. I can't think of any other motive.
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 10:05 AM
Dec 7

Denzel Washington starred in a 2002 movie about his family's medical insurance carrier not paying to treat his son. In anger he takes hostages in a hospital.

TBF

(34,748 posts)
33. Sure, except the company has already confirmed this by locking down their campuses -
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 03:54 PM
Dec 7

they KNOW it is most likely a family member of someone they denied coverage too or they wouldn't be removing executive photos from their websites and locking down their company buildings. Duh.

C0RI0LANUS

(1,862 posts)
31. Thanks for reminding me of "Sicko" by Michael Moore. One footnote about Canada.
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 03:43 PM
Dec 7

Many years ago my wife and I visited a dying relative in Canada.

When we walked in the front door of the Montreal hospital, I noticed an unarmed Garda (or Securitas) security officer fighting his boredom by reading a newspaper in a tiny office. I compared that with a visit to NYC hospital where I saw something like this on my way in:





Heading towards the elevator bank of this Canadian hospital, we espied the billing department. One sleepy person was sitting at an uncluttered desk in a small office the size of a large kitchen.

Then I recalled the army of clerks at that NYC hospital working the phones, preparing bills and other paperwork. This was a frenetic mini-beehive of activity where most of the discussions I overheard regarded payments and insurance. And of course the TV was blaring.





What a difference.

Icanthinkformyself

(304 posts)
9. Nothing about
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 08:51 AM
Dec 7

maybe changing the vulture culture in the healthcare insurance racket. No discussion of, perhaps, reducing the expense of healthcare by limiting the millions that the executives are permitted to suck out of the system stealing it from desperate people who need care. Everything the elites do will be to protect their scam, not make necessary reforms intended to improve people's lives. The rich will not give an inch. Whatever we get from the rich must be taken from them as it will never be given by them. It has been mentioned that the next civil war will not be North/South or East/West. It will be the Morbidly Rich vs. everyone else.

Aristus

(68,617 posts)
14. These assholes LOVE doing cost/benefit analyses.
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 10:18 AM
Dec 7

I’m willing to bet that paying patient claims would cost them less than increased security across the board. Not to mention serving as an effective preventative for another dead CEO, or a workplace massacre, or, worst of all, a plunge in the stock value.

meow2u3

(24,935 posts)
15. Their idea of cost/benefit analyses
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 10:31 AM
Dec 7

If it costs you dearly, it benefits them. Parasites.

jvill

(401 posts)
17. This is all so odd. Do we know the dude didn't just shove the wrong kid in a locker in high school?
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 12:15 PM
Dec 7

Bengus81

(7,494 posts)
20. People remember the woman that worked for Aetna testifying before Congress years ago?
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 01:22 PM
Dec 7

Specifically HER job was to deny claims. She couldn't take it anymore and quit and testified before Congress. Said she wasn't sure how many died because of her actions.

DENVERPOPS

(10,147 posts)
34. Wouldn't do any good
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 03:56 PM
Dec 7

all the corporation would do is "Gross up" the salary of the executives to cover the expense......

Marthe48

(19,321 posts)
27. Someone said social security isn't a one way benefit
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 02:26 PM
Dec 7

I think one of my history teachers. He was making the point that if the lower classes had what they needed, the rich would benefit from that prosperity. I think the filthy rich of modern times have forgotten what happens when the majority of people don't have their needs met. Americans aren't North Koreans. We have a different culture. Lifelong obedience to a human claiming divinity isn't one of our ethics.

Marthe48

(19,321 posts)
30. Same reasons: starvation, poverty, disease
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 03:16 PM
Dec 7

It'll come to a revolution but with updated weapons

I hope I'm not here for it

DENVERPOPS

(10,147 posts)
36. No kidding Marthe
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 04:05 PM
Dec 7

If we are gonna have anarchy, which is far worse than a civil war, I certainly don't need that in my final years.......
LOL, Someone said: "You better stock up on ammunition".......I laughed and said: "All I need are three bullets, one for me, one for my wife, and one for my dog"........(and maybe a fourth for the Karen MAGA in our neighborhood.....LOL)........

Anyone interested, re-read Steinbeck's Award Winning book: The Grapes of Wrath............It will frighten you, or should......

Marthe48

(19,321 posts)
37. I read all that I could that Steinbeck wrote
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 04:18 PM
Dec 7

including Grapes of Wrath. I was never that poor, never want to be.

When people think about the good old days, they don't think about that level of poverty across the world. If rwnj get their way, that level of poverty will return to this country and pull down many people whose parents and grandparents worked themselves to death to make life better for the next generations. And, being aware of American poor already trying to make it through a day, there will be countless more victims tipped closer to the bottom.



DENVERPOPS

(10,147 posts)
41. I truthfully believe
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 04:33 PM
Dec 7

that they are driving full steam ahead to going back to the days of the "Robber Barrons" and the Gilded Age........
The only thing that saved the nation from them was FDR, who the Republicans LOATHED.

This group of "New" so called RepubliCONs is hell bent on wiping out all the regulatory agencies and protections that FDR put in place, making it an easy path to return to the days of old, with a whole new set of Modern Day Robber Barrons.

My only consolation is that all the MAGAot voters will ALL get creamed, in addition to all of us, due to their ignorance and outright stupidity. In the final days of Trump's rallies, he openly told them to vote for him ONE last time, and they would never need to vote again, and they were all so stupid to realize what he meant by that..........

Did you know that when the Grapes of Wrath was first published, it was banned in the United States???????

Marthe48

(19,321 posts)
43. I think it is on some of the banned book lists now
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 04:49 PM
Dec 7

But the people who hate migrant workers should read it.

IbogaProject

(3,776 posts)
48. Yes the income multiplier for the bottom 80% is way higher than the 1%'s
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 06:07 PM
Dec 7

The wealthy spend cautiously and slowly and often not in the general community. They buy art and luxury products from each other, including tertiary residences. Where as a grandmother in a housing project spends her monthly income quickly, carefully and often locally. We can see what has happened in the 40 some years since Reagan got the tax code shifted, the middle class standard of living hasn't increased. The statistics play games by trying to factor some improvements like faster computers and larger TV screens as having an economic benefit but those don't amount to more food on the table.

JustABozoOnThisBus

(23,825 posts)
52. Yes, it's easily paid for: a premium increase here, another denial of service there ...
Sun Dec 8, 2024, 09:21 AM
Dec 8

Maybe buy up all the Sharpies, so people won't write our company mission statement on bullets.

Irish_Dem

(59,689 posts)
53. Yep. Just increase the insurance scam, kill more people via denial of service.
Sun Dec 8, 2024, 09:25 AM
Dec 8

The CEOs will be rolling in more dough.

Irish_Dem

(59,689 posts)
38. Even more claims will be denied now to pay for the increased security.
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 04:19 PM
Dec 7

The rich won't pay for it themselves.

dobleremolque

(919 posts)
40. UHC executives are never going to go all introspective and think, "maybe Brian's murder means
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 04:29 PM
Dec 7

we should provide a little more care and make a little less money." Only government intervention and regulation will bring that about.

Karasu

(368 posts)
49. They'll never do that because that would force them--and the entire health insurance industry--to reckon with their
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 07:39 PM
Dec 7

very existence.

And we're sure as hell not getting universal healthcare under fascism.

orleans

(35,249 posts)
44. well, if you've got this insurance company it would appear that either your premiums will be going up
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 04:53 PM
Dec 7

or your coverage will be going down

they might even kill off those incentives: the gym membership, the rides to doctors they don't approve, the $100 grocery card, and the fucking pony they promised you'd get on your next birthday

Evolve Dammit

(19,056 posts)
45. May you all need gated walls and electric fences. You have ruined our country with your predatory "healthcare." FU
Sat Dec 7, 2024, 04:55 PM
Dec 7

Deminpenn

(16,347 posts)
50. Americans seem strangely apathetic about this murder
Sun Dec 8, 2024, 06:24 AM
Dec 8

Even the internet sleuths aren't interested in trying to find the killer.

I suppose too many Americans have had bad experiences navigationg the health insurance companies vs health care providers maze.

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