The Scoop: United Healthcare CEO makes use of op-ed in try to alter medical insurance narrative

Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth Group, authored an op-ed printed within the journal New York Times on Friday to attempt to reshape the narrative surrounding the horrific loss of life of his colleague Brian Thompson in New York final week.

Piece – “The well being care system is damaged. Let’s repair it.” – begins with Whitty expressing his appreciation to those that have reached out to point out help for Thompson, his household and his workforce at United Healthcare throughout this time of tragedy.

However he additionally acknowledged that information of Thompson’s loss of life led to an increase in threats and vitriol directed at United Healthcare and its workers — “nurses, medical doctors, affected person advocates, clients, technicians and others” who “come to work daily to offer crucial well being companies.” Companies to hundreds of thousands of Individuals in want.”

Whitty additionally makes use of this text to attempt to argue that the present well being care system just isn’t the fault of insurance coverage firms alone: ​​“We all know the well being system would not work in addition to it ought to, and we perceive folks’s frustration with it. Nobody would design a system just like the one we have now. And nobody has. It is a patchwork.” It was constructed over a long time.

He additionally guarantees a dedication to enhancing the system and serving to folks higher perceive the “very advanced” protection selections made by medical insurance firms.

Why it issues: An op-ed is a good alternative to current your facet of the story and supplies direct entry to the viewers. However the platform additionally leaves the writer weak to a world of detrimental suggestions, which is what UnitedHealthcare Group is experiencing this morning.

Whereas the op-ed was supposed to assist calm a few of the anger directed at UnitedHealth, it might have accomplished simply the alternative. By 10 a.m., the story had drawn 844 feedback — practically all of them criticizing United Healthcare, the insurance coverage business, and even The Instances for publishing the article.

In some ways, Whitey had no alternative however to reply. His workers are receiving threats. As he actually stated:No worker – whether or not they’re the individuals who reply buyer calls or the nurses who go to sufferers of their properties – ought to must worry for his or her security and the protection of their family members.

However Whitty’s promise to “reform” well being care rang “hole,” one particular person wrote. The article supplied no actual paths to reaching these objectives apart from mentioning a “willingness to accomplice with anybody” to make the system work higher.

When writing an opinion piece, it is necessary to actually take into consideration not solely the message you or your organization wish to convey but in addition the way you say it. You may inform folks you wish to do one thing and make guarantees left and proper. But when you are going to do one thing, give them a approach to drive that reality house. Exhibiting folks how you propose to make a distinction is extra highly effective and plausible than merely telling them you wish to do it.

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Casey Weldon is a reporter for PR Day by day. Observe him LinkedIn.

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