UnitedHealth Group CEO calls colleague's killing 'profoundly shocking and disturbing'

As UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty continued to reach out to employees still processing the murder of a top executive, insurers in the Twin Cities and elsewhere took steps Friday to protect their campuses against potential threats.

In a video message to employees, Witty called the murder of colleague Brian Thompson "immeasurably sad" and "profoundly shocking" and encouraged workers to take time and care while processing the fatal ambush of Thompson this week on a New York City sidewalk.

"I'd like to ask you all to look out for yourselves," Witty said in the message. "This is a moment where, in among everything else, we're reminded of the fragility of families, of individuals and the importance that that really represents.

"So, first and foremost, please put that first -- take the time to be with the people who are important to you."

Witty's video message, first reported Friday by CNN, came as the manhunt continued for the killer who repeatedly shot Thompson, UnitedHealthcare's CEO, as he made his way to a company investor conference.

As of Friday afternoon, police were testing DNA from a water bottle the killer may have used and examining a fake New Jersey ID and a cellphone that may be connected to the suspect, the New York Times reported.

Later Friday, investigators found a backpack in Central Park like the one that had been carried by the shooter, police said. According to the Times, it was unclear if the gun used in the shooting was found in the bag. Investigators believed the gun possibly was fitted with a suppressor, or might have been a veterinary gun used by farmers and ranchers to put down animals without making a loud sound.

In the Twin Cities, the health insurer Medica said it had temporarily closed its Minnetonka headquarters as a precaution, one of several steps being taken by Minnesota health plan companies to boost worker safety in the face of mounting online anger being directed at insurers.

The company also temporarily shut down offices in Duluth, Fargo, Omaha and Madison, Wis., through next Friday.

"We considered the workplace safety of our employees in making that decision," a Medica spokesman said in an email Thursday evening. "The step was taken out of an abundance of caution."

The UnitedHealth Group said in a statement Friday that the company was partnering with law enforcement to ensure a safe work environment and reinforce security guidelines and building access policies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota said it had elevated security measures at its headquarters and asked employees to remain vigilant and report any unusual activity.

Insurers and other industries across the country were taking steps to reduce the visibility of top executives after Thompson's killing. Medica and UnitedHealthcare have taken down web pages with information about them, as have other U.S. health insurers.

At Minneapolis-based UCare, company headquarters remained open, but the insurer's front door was locked. Officials were evaluating comprehensive security policies and precautions to see where they could be strengthened and meeting with industry groups to discuss best practices.

"Of course, Brian Thompson's murder -- and the ensuing vitriol on social media -- sent shockwaves throughout our industry," UCare said in a statement. "We have no reason to believe there is any danger specifically to our team. At the same time, there is a general feeling of vulnerability and concern."

Police have released several images of a person of interest in the case, including photos of his face obtained from surveillance camera footage at a nearby hostel.

Authorities said they believe the man arrived in New York by bus from Atlanta on Nov. 24 and checked into the hostel using the faking ID, the New York Times reported, quoting an unidentified senior law enforcement official.

After the shooting, according to the Times, the gunman fled into Central Park on a bike. He exited on the park's west side without the distinctive backpack he was wearing during the shooting. He then took a cab to upper Manhattan, where he was seen entering the Port Authority bus terminal but not leaving it -- leading authorities to suspect that he boarded a bus heading out.

On Friday afternoon, CNN quoted Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch saying there was reason to believe the person of interest has left New York City.

Investigators found the word "deny" written on one of the bullet casings found at the scene of Thompson's killing, potentially referring to denied health insurance claims. The executive's widow told NBC News this week that Thompson had received threats possibly linked to coverage denials.

Police have not speculated publicly about a motive, but they've said the killer appears to have intentionally targeted the UnitedHealthcare chief executive.

Health insurance denials are a difficult reality in the industry. Some are needed to combat fraud and abuse or ensure documentation is correctly completed. Other denials spark bitter feuds with health care providers who suspect insurers are aggressively searching for ways to get out of paying for needed care.

These tensions are well-known within health care. Even so, some industry officials have expressed surprise and dismay this week at the degree of animosity displayed online.

In the days since parent company UnitedHealth Group posted a message of sorrow about Thompson's killing on its Facebook page, users reacted with the laughing emoji 81,000 times.

In Witty's video Friday, he said workers needing help could use the company's employee assistance program and other resources.

"I'm acutely aware that this has a huge impact for everybody across the organization," he said. "Whether Brian was a friend, or a colleague, or a mentor, your boss, or just somebody you happened to know the name of, the circumstances of his death are profoundly shocking and disturbing. It might make you feel nervous. It might make you feel anxious and certainly may be very disturbing."

Health insurance is a major employer in the Twin Cities. Medica employs about 3,000 people overall, with most workers in Minnesota, UCare has about 1,700 employees, and Eagan-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota employs about 3,000.

At least 19,000 Minnesotans work at UnitedHealth Group, and thousands more work in the health plan division of Bloomington-based HealthPartners. Minnetonka, in particular, has a large concentration of health insurance workers between Medica and UnitedHealth Group.

U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, whose district includes Minnetonka, took to social media Friday to suggest workers at insurance companies are caught up in much larger problems of the nation's health care system.

"UnitedHealth is based in my district and employs 1000 s of my constituents," Phillips wrote on X. "Like other insurers, they play by rules allowing the industry to net >$100 billion/year while patients go bankrupt from medical debt. The real culprit is Congress and money in politics, and it's time for change."

On Thursday night, UnitedHealth Group didn't address the discord in its first public statement since Witty abruptly closed the company's New York investor conference Wednesday. The company requested privacy for Thompson's family.

"While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place... We are thankful, even as we grieve," the statement said.

Steve Nelson, a former UnitedHealthcare executive who is now CEO of health insurance giant Aetna, said he and Thompson became friends over many years at United, particularly a six-year span when they worked closely together.

Thompson was down-to-earth, Nelson recalled, and relatable through humor. Friends called him "BT," which fit with his preference for nicknames.

"He was self-deprecating and never strayed far from his roots of just being that kid from Iowa with a lot of compassion and a huge heart," said Nelson, whose company is a division of Rhode Island-based CVS Health.

In his video, Witty didn't address possible motives, instead stressing steps the company is taking to support and protect Thompson's family. He also described the company's path ahead.

"We will work through this together," Witty said. "But it's going to be difficult and life won't be the same again within ... UnitedHealth Group. But it will go on. And we will be effective. And we will continue to help people across the country improve their access to and experience of health care."

(C)2024 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC