UnitedHealth CEO Calls for Improved U.S. Health System Amid Rising Costs and Complexity

UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty addressed systemic flaws in the U.S. health care system during the company’s earnings call on Thursday, emphasizing the need for improvement. The call marked the company’s first since the fatal shooting of executive Brian Thompson.

“The health system needs to function better,” Witty stated. He acknowledged that while the U.S. delivers world-leading care in many areas, the fragmented structures across state, federal, and private sectors have created a health care system that is “confusing,” “complex,” and “costly.”

Witty began the call by expressing gratitude for the condolences received following Thompson’s death. “Many of you knew Brian personally,” Witty told investors.

“You knew how much he meant to all of us and how he devoted his time to help make the health system work better for all of the people we’re privileged to serve.”

The suspect in Thompson’s killing, Luigi Mangione, is being held without bond in Brooklyn on capital murder charges. He has pleaded not guilty.

Witty’s remarks came as UnitedHealth reported record-breaking revenues for 2024. Before Thompson’s death, the company’s stock price had reached an all-time high.

Despite the financial success, Witty used the earnings call to confront the challenges of a profit-driven health care system.

“Participants in the system derive benefit from high health care costs,” Witty said. While lower prices and improved services can benefit consumers, they may “threaten revenue streams for organizations that depend on charging more for care.”

Although Witty did not directly address UnitedHealth’s role as a beneficiary of high health costs, his comments reflected broader concerns about the system’s structure.

The call also highlighted a shift in focus following Thompson’s tragic death, with Witty acknowledging the broader debate about health care reform in the U.S. “It’s our responsibility to serve the people who depend on us better,” he said.

UnitedHealth’s earnings call demonstrated not only its financial strength but also the company’s acknowledgment of systemic issues that need to be addressed in the American health care landscape.