In a stunning admission, UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty has conceded that the U.S. healthcare system, which has made him a multi-millionaire, is “not perfect.” The statement comes after days of outrage over his defense of his company’s refusal to cover treatments it deems “unnecessary.”
In a column published in The New York Times on Friday, Witty shocked readers by acknowledging what many Americans already know: the healthcare system is deeply flawed. “No one would design a system like the one we have,” he wrote. “And no one did. It’s a patchwork built over decades.”
While Witty claimed that “every corner” of the healthcare system is filled with people trying to do their best, he didn’t shy away from criticism. “We know the health system does not work as well as it should, and we understand people’s frustrations with it,” he admitted.
Witty also took responsibility for the lack of transparency in healthcare coverage decisions. “Together with employers, governments, and others who pay for care, we need to improve how we explain what insurance covers and how decisions are made,” he said, acknowledging that the industry has failed to make its actions clear to consumers.
Despite the criticism, Witty reiterated his “commitment” to delivering “high-quality care” at “lower costs,” but also conceded that UnitedHealth still has a long way to go in achieving these goals.
The CEO’s comments come at a tense moment for the company, following the murder of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson. Thompson, 50, was fatally shot in Manhattan last week in what police have described as a “targeted attack.” His death has sparked a wave of threats directed at healthcare company executives.
Witty condemned the violence, saying, “No employees—be they customer service reps or nurses—should have to fear for their safety.” The murder suspect, Luigi Mangione, was arrested after five days on the run.
