'Brazenly trying to capitalize': UnitedHealth accuses newspaper of exploiting CEO's murder

04 June

CCTV footage of the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thomson on December 4, 2024 (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

UnitedHealthcare has filed a defamation lawsuit against The Guardian following a May 21 story alleging that the company secretly paid nursing homes to reduce hospital transfers, potentially compromising resident health, Semafor reported Wednesday.

The report claimed that UnitedHealthcare's actions were part of cost-cutting measures that saved the company millions but at times risked residents' health.

UnitedHealthcare reportedly alleged in the lawsuit that The Guardian intentionally disseminated false information and sought to exploit media attention surrounding the murder of its former CEO, Brian Thompson, in New York City in December.

The health insurance company further accused the publication of cropping screenshots quoted in the article and misrepresenting the email.

"The Guardian knew these accusations were false, but published them anyway, brazenly trying to capitalize on the tragic and shocking assassination of UnitedHealthcare’s then-CEO, Brian Thompson,” the complaint says, per Semafor.

UnitedHealthcare has enlisted the defamation-focused law firm Clare Locke for the lawsuit.

Meanwhile, The Guardian told Semafor that its reporting is substantiated by documented evidence and on-the-record lawsuits and it stands by its coverage despite the lawsuit.

“The Guardian stands by its deeply-sourced, independent reporting, which is based on thousands of corporate and patient records, publicly filed lawsuits, declarations submitted to federal and state agencies, and interviews with more than 20 current and former UnitedHealth employees — as well as statements and information provided by UnitedHealth itself over several weeks,” a spokesperson said, per Semafor.

“It’s outrageous that in response to factual reporting on the practice of secretly paying nursing homes to reduce hospitalizations for vulnerable patients, UnitedHealth is resorting to wildly misleading claims and intimidation tactics via the courts," the statement added.

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