The manhunt for a suspect who gunned down a healthcare chief executive in New York City has now entered its fourth day, with police chasing several different leads as of writing.
Catch-up: Brian Thompson, the CEO of one of America’s largest health insurers, was fatally shot outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning. Investigators say the killing was pre-planned, but the suspect's identity and motivation remain unknown.
- The words "deny," "defend," and "depose" were found on bullet casings at the scene, which could be a reference to the tactics used by insurers to avoid paying claims.
Big picture: According to the New York Times, UnitedHealthcare, Thompson’s employer, has faced “complaints and investigations from patients, doctors and lawmakers” for denying claims. Similar practices identified across U.S. private insurers may now face new scrutiny.
- This year, a Senate committee found UnitedHealthcare, which made more than US$16 billion last year, intentionally denies claims for expensive care to increase profits.
- Many have used the incident to express their frustration over America's healthcare system by sharing stories about being denied coverage or payment for claims.
Zoom out: The attack has also prompted security chiefs from large U.S. companies to reassess their protocols. Just 28% of S&P 500 companies reported providing personal security for execs between 2021 and 2023, according to compensation tracker Equilar.—SB