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UnitedHealth Group On Tuesday, Chairman Stephen Hemsley said he would return to the helm of the healthcare conglomerate and take over CEO Andrew Whitty.
Witty quickly came into effect, saying he had resigned for “personal reasons.” Hemsley served as CEO from 2006 to 2017.
Hemsley praised his “United Health Group stewardship” at “the most challenging time anyone has ever faced,” but the company did not reveal any other details about Whitty’s sudden departure.
UnitedHealthcare announces new CEO after killing Brian Thompson
UnitedHealthcare was shot in December when Brian Thompson, head of the insurance division at UnitedHealth Outside the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan.
Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League alumnus accused of Thompson’s shooting, pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to the murder last month. The trial is scheduled to begin in 2026.
Stephen Hemsley returns to Running United Health Group and returns CEO Andrew Whitty to his successor. (Getty Images/Jonathan Alcorn via Getty Images/Bloomberg)
Tim Noel, who recently served as CEO of the Medicare and Retirement Business at UnitedHealth Group, took over the insurance unit shortly after Thompson’s death.
Thompson’s death sparked a nationwide conversation about the US health care system and Americans Deep frustration How the system is currently operating.
UnitedHealth Group aims to return to business after CEO murder
Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealth Group Inc., will arrive at a Senate Treasury Committee hearing on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Hemsley said Tuesday that the company has “a great opportunity to grow” as it “helps improve healthcare and helps us execute towards our potential.” In doing so, Hemsley said the company could return to its long-term growth target of 13% to 16%.
The company also halted its 2025 outlook on Tuesday as care activities continued to accelerate while expanding to offering more types of benefits compared to the first quarter.
| Ticker | safety | last | change | change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNH | UnitedHealth Group Inc. | 378.75 | -1.89 |
-0.50% |
He also said UnitedHealthCare’s new Medicare Advantage beneficiaries’ healthcare costs remain higher than expected. The company still expects to return to growth in 2026.
UnitedHealth Group aims to return to business after CEO murder
Hemsley will remain chairman of the board, and Whitty will serve as a senior adviser to Hemsley, according to the company.
Hemsley has a long history with the company, as United Health Group joined in 1997 as Chief Operating Officer and became president two years later. He became a board chair in 2017.
