The fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson has prompted several leading health insurance companies to remove or restrict access to their executive leadership pages. The move comes amid concerns over safety following online activity that some have described as targeting other industry executives.
Thompson, 57, was shot and killed outside a Manhattan hotel on Wednesday morning, shortly before he was set to speak at an investor conference. Surveillance footage captured the masked assailant fleeing the scene with what appeared to be a silencer-equipped weapon. Investigators noted that bullets used in the attack were engraved with phrases referencing common insurance practices, such as “deny,” “defend,” and “depose.” The motive remains unclear, but the attack has sent shockwaves through the health insurance sector.
In the wake of the assassination, companies like United Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Caresource, Medica, and Elevance Health have removed or restricted access to their online leadership directories. United Healthcare’s “about us” page, which previously featured Thompson and other executives, now redirects to the company’s homepage. Similarly, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and Elevance Health replaced their executive pages with generic content or error messages.
Nonprofit health insurance providers have also taken precautions. Caresource removed profile pages for its leadership team, while Medica’s leadership staff pages now return error messages. Some companies, including Kaiser Permanente, Humana, and Aetna, have opted to keep their executive directories online.
The decision to remove executive profiles follows online activity on platforms like Bluesky, where users, including former Washington Post journalist and Vox Media podcaster Taylor Lorenz, have been accused of celebrating Thompson’s death and posting the names and images of other health insurance executives. According to reports, Lorenz used her Bluesky account to cheer the assassination and share information about other industry leaders, further stoking fears among executives.
Thompson’s murder has heightened tensions in the industry, which has already faced criticism over controversial policies. Just a day before the shooting, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield announced plans to charge patients for anesthesia exceeding estimated durations, a decision it quickly walked back following the tragedy.
The attack and subsequent online targeting underscore the growing risks faced by high-profile figures in contentious industries. While the motive behind Thompson’s murder remains under investigation, the incident has raised serious questions about executive safety and the impact of online rhetoric in escalating real-world threats.
