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UnitedHealthcare, the nation's largest health insurer whose CEO was killed earlier this month, is accused in a new article of actively working to reduce access to treatment it considers "critical" for autistic children.
A report from ProPublica claims UnitedHealthcare strategically limits access to applied behavior analytic therapy (ABA) for autistic patients as a way to cut costs. The report is based on internal documents obtained by the outlet that purport to show the company's strategy, which was developed by its mental health benefits division, Optum.
UnitedHealthcare corporate headquarters on December 4, 2024 in Minnetonka, Minnesota. United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot dead on the street in New York City before he attended the company's annual investor meeting. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/Getty Images)
| Ticker | Safety | Last | Changed | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNH | UNITED HEALTH GROUP INC. | 610.20 | +1.82 | +0.30% |
According to the report, UnitedHealthcare recognizes ABA as the "evidence-based gold standard treatment for those with medical needs," but the company intends to "prevent new providers" of the therapy from joining its network and remove existing ones despite "very long. waiting lists." for treatment in several areas.
The report claims Optum's strategy specifically targets children insured through Medicaid, a federal program administered through states that provides health coverage to low-income people.
FOX Business has reached out to UnitedHealthcare and Optum for comment.
UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in New York City. (FOX 5 New York/ WNYW | UnitedHealth / Fox News)
UnitedHealthcare has been in the spotlight since chief executive Brian Thompson was fatally shot in New York City on December 4 by a lone gunman.
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The suspect in the murder, Luigi Mangione, reportedly singled out UnitedHealthcare in a handwritten manifesto, stating the size of the company and how much money it made. However, Mangione is not a member of UnitedHealthcare.
Suspected shooter Luigi Mangione is brought to Blair County Court for an extradition hearing on Dec. 10, 2024 in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Following Thompson's murder, many people on social media expressed indifference to his murder and in some cases even mocked himvent their frustrations with the US health care system.
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Last week, Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealthcare's parent company, UnitedHealth Group, write an op-ed in The New York Times, calling for health care reform and more transparency in the industry.
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