The UnitedHealth Group leader whose murder in December unleashed a torrent of public frustration and dissatisfaction with the U.S. health care system was pushing for some of the very improvements that critics have been seeking.

In his first public comments since one of his executives was shot to death, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty said the healthcare system “needs to function better.”

UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty told analysts that the company is positioned well for growth in 2025. This comes just a month after the CEO of its insurance unit was murdered.

Click in for more news from The Hill{beacon} Health Care Health Care   The Big Story UnitedHealth CEO blames drug companies for high costsIn his first public remarks since the murder of

The CEO of UnitedHealth Group defended the company's role in the U.S. health care system days after a report said the company made huge profits by significantly marking up the cost of lifesaving drugs.

In its first results since its insurance unit CEO was fatally shot in New York City, UnitedHealth Group reported Thursday weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter revenue, prompting its shares to fall in early morning trading despite quarterly profit beating projections.

UnitedHealth reported fourth-quarter results on Thursday that reflected persistent challenges for the health insurance sector.

But high medical costs contributed to results that disappointed Wall Street, and the company’s stock fell on the news that it had made less than analysts expected.

In his first public remarks since the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last month and the backlash against the insurance industry it provoked, Witty said the healthcare conglomerate is looking for ways to simplify and accelerate its prior authorization processes. He did not offer specifics.

Jan. 16 at 1:45 p.m. ETUnitedHealth Group's Optum Rx unit made a commitment to pass through 100% of rebates negotiated with drugmakers to the client. | UnitedHealth Group reported $5.5 billion in profit for the fourth quarter of 2024,

Good morning and welcome to the UnitedHealth Group fourth quarter and full year 2024 earnings conference call. A question-and-answer session will follow the UnitedHealth Group's prepared remarks. As a reminder, this call is being recorded. Here are some important introductory information.

UnitedHealth Group reported $14.4 billion in 2024 profits as its UnitedHealthcare health insurance and Optum provider services overcame rising costs and a cyberattack.