UnitedHealth Group CEO discusses Brian Thompson's death and criticizes the healthcare system for its flaws.

• Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth Group, expressed his grief over the passing of Brian Thompson, the head of the company's insurance division, and acknowledged the need for reform in the U.S. health-care system, which he described as "flawed."
• Since the shooting of Thompson last week, Witty has made his first public comments in a New York Times opinion piece.
• Insurers must enhance their communication with employers, governments, and other payers to clarify what is covered and how those decisions are made, as witty pointed out.

On Friday, CEO Andrew Witty expressed his condolences for the death of Brian Thompson, the head of the company's insurance division, and acknowledged the need for reform in the U.S. health-care system, which he described as "flawed."

"The health system is not functioning optimally, and people are frustrated with it, as Witty stated in a New York Times opinion piece. The system is a result of a patchwork built over time, with no one intentionally designing it that way."

He stated that UnitedHealth Group's mission is to improve the way things work.

We are open to collaborating with anyone, including health care providers, employers, patients, pharmaceutical companies, governments, and others, to develop effective strategies for providing top-notch care and reducing expenses.

Since the shooting of Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the largest private insurer in the U.S., Witty has made his first public comments.

Luigi Mangione, 26, has been charged with fatally shooting Thompson outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan while the CEO was attending UnitedHealth Group's investor day. It is reported that Mangione was a critic of the health-care industry, a widely held belief among Americans.

The insurance industry has become a popular villain blamed for spiraling health-care costs and difficulties accessing care, as a result of denied claims, rising premiums, unexpected bills, and an overall lack of transparency. Patients have flooded social media with stories about their own negative experiences with insurance.

Despite the difficulties faced by insurers in the past year, including increased medical costs due to seniors' delayed surgeries, the killing still occurred.

Witty acknowledged UnitedHealth Group's role in the health-care challenges in the U.S.

"Witty remarked that health care is both personal and complex, and the reasons behind coverage decisions are not well understood, adding, "We also contribute to that.""

Witty stated that insurers should improve how they explain what is covered and how those decisions are made, as the company, employers, governments, and other payers need to work together to reform the industry.

He pointed out that behind certain claims decisions is a comprehensive and continually updated body of clinical evidence aimed at achieving the best health outcomes and ensuring patient safety.

Thompson did his utmost to assist patients in navigating the complexities of the healthcare system, as Witty remarked.