UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killing lays bare risks facing health leaders

In recent years, the threat level seems to have risen for health care executives

Log In    Subscribe Latest   UnitedHealthcare CEO's killing lays bare rising security risks facing health care leaders By Annalisa Merelli and Jonathan Wosen Stefan Jeremiah/AP The killing of Brian Thompson, the CEO of the insurance division of UnitedHealth Group, provided a window into the growing safety risks faced by prominent health care leaders.   Thompson's wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News her husband had received threats. A longtime UnitedHealth executive who left the company about 10 years ago said the company's leadership commonly received threats from people with grievances about UnitedHealth's coverage policies.   "It doesn't seem paranoid to worry that someone who's had services denied that they may believe are important might be in an emotionally unstable state and could take some action," a former executive at a different health insurer told STAT.  READ MORE Sign up for Health Care Inc. Unpacking the business — and secretive inner workings — of the U.S. health care industry. Learn more. Most read 1   UnitedHealth exec Brian Thompson is killed in 'brazen, targeted' shooting By Bob Herman, Tara Bannow, and Lev Facher 2   UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson became one of the country's most powerful insurance execs before tragic killing By Tara Bannow, Bob Herman, and Jonathan Wosen 3   Conservative-led Supreme Court appears wary of weighing in on trans care bans By Theresa Gaffney and Sarah Owermohle 4   RFK Jr. was paid six figures by his vaccine-challenging group before presidential run By Isabella Cueto Don't miss out on another STAT Investigation Unlock the world of health and medicine with a subscription to STAT+ Learn more STAT, 1 Exchange Place, Boston, MA ©2024, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails Update Newsletter Preferences • Contact Us • Advertise with Us