UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty expressed deep condolences for the murder of executive Brian Thompson and acknowledged the flaws in the USA's healthcare system, while pointing out that the system is facing increasing public dissatisfaction. Witty emphasized that the complexity of the healthcare system and the lack of transparency in insurance coverage decisions partly contribute to this situation and committed to working with multiple parties to improve it. Additionally, Ivy League graduate Luigi Mangione was arrested for allegedly murdering Thompson, reportedly believing that this act was a reasonable response to corruption in the Industry.

Witty noted in his comments that the current healthcare system in the USA is a "patchwork put together over decades" and stated that no one would design such a system. His first public statement came after the murder of Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealth Group's Insurance division, last week. Thompson's murder sparked anger from Americans struggling to access and afford Medical care, further highlighting public dissatisfaction with Medical Insurance.

Witty and his colleagues are trying to understand this "shameless act" and the malicious threats against the company's employees. He mentioned that recent data shows patients are now more likely to have claims denied, pay higher premiums and Medical costs, and face unexpected Medical expenses that they had assumed were included in their health plans.

Witty admitted, "Medical Care is very personal and very complex, and the reasons behind insurance coverage decisions are often unclear." He further stated that UnitedHealth Group bears some responsibility for this and plans to work with employers, the government, and others who pay for Medical expenses to improve the way insurance coverage and decision-making are explained.

Insurance companies are also trying to negotiate with doctors and Hospitals to lower the increased costs of expensive Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices. On the other hand, after five days of pursuit, Luigi Mangione was charged with the murder of Thompson on December 9. Reports say an internal New York City police department document analyzed at the time of Mangione's arrest concluded that Mangione believed the killing was a reasonable response to what he perceived as corruption in the Industry.

Satisfaction with healthcare in the USA has plunged to a new low, and healthcare stocks may face policy changes.

The latest Gallup poll indicates that Americans' satisfaction with the quality of healthcare in the USA has plummeted to a historic low, with only 44% believing the quality is excellent or good, and satisfaction with Medical costs dropping to the lowest point since 2001, at just 19%. Additionally, 46% of respondents support a government-operated healthcare system, the highest percentage since 2017. The murder of the UnitedHealth CEO has heightened public dissatisfaction with the healthcare system and pushed this sentiment to the forefront of political discussion. With the impending administration of the Trump government, the future of healthcare policy in the USA is filled with uncertainty.

Washington has begun to respond to this change. Reports indicate that Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren and Republican Senator Josh Hawley have jointly introduced a proposal that could force CVS Health to split. This news caused UnitedHealth's stock to drop by 3.33% and CVS Health to fall by 4.21%.

Trump appointed Robert F. Kennedy as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, a choice that indicates the non-traditional path the Trump administration might take in Medical reform. Possible future policy changes include the spinoff of Medical Services giants such as UnitedHealth, CVS Health, and The Cigna Group (CI.US), stricter measures on Pharmaceutical price limitations, and more rigorous regulation of Medicare Advantage plans.

Although the support for the murderer online reflects some people's dissatisfaction with the Medical Care Industry, analysts believe these statements are expressions of anti-industry sentiment and do not fully understand the complexities of the Medical Care Industry. If the Medical reform movement gains more support, Wall Street may face more unexpected events in the coming months.

Over the past four years, investors have been optimistic about the possibility of large-scale reform of the Medical system. However, during the 2024 presidential campaign, the debate over Medical Care policy has diminished. Nevertheless, public dissatisfaction with the Medical system continues to grow. Obama's Obamacare, while providing Insurance to millions of Americans, still leaves 20 million uninsured, and the average proportion of household budgets allocated to Medical care continues to rise.

The per capita Medical expenditure in the USA is about twice that of other wealthy countries, yet the Medical outcomes are not as good as in other countries. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the USA had one of the highest mortality rates among wealthy nations. The murder of UnitedHealth's CEO reflects public anger over these issues, and investors should prepare for potential significant changes in the Medical Care industry.

Editor/lambor