UnitedHealth Reports $5.5 Billion Profit Amid CEO's Death

UnitedHealth Group reported a quarterly profit of $5.54 billion in its first earnings release since the killing of CEO Brian Thompson, which has intensified scrutiny over rising healthcare costs in the U.S. The company's revenue reached $100.8 billion for the fourth quarter, but this fell short of analysts' expectations, leading to a decline in shares. Over 87% of premiums collected during the quarter were used to cover medical costs, significantly higher than anticipated, reflecting ongoing pressures from expensive specialty drugs. The full-year profit for 2024 decreased by 36% to $14.4 billion, impacted by a cyberattack and the sale of its South American operations. Despite these challenges, UnitedHealth's leadership emphasized their commitment to improving access to affordable healthcare. The aftermath of Thompson's death has sparked broader discussions about the ethics of profit in the healthcare sector amidst rising medical debts among Americans.