Due to recent security concerns in the health care industry following the tragic shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO, CVS Health has decided to remove photographs of its executives from the company’s website. This decision was confirmed in an email statement to NTD News on Friday. The specific reason for this action has not been disclosed.
CVS stated, “We can confirm that we removed the photos from our website, but have no other comment.”
This move comes as a response to the increased security threats within the health care sector after the untimely death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City.
In light of this incident, several health insurance companies have taken precautionary measures. For example, Medica, a nonprofit health care organization based in Minnesota, serving 1.5 million customers across 12 states, has temporarily closed all six of its locations.
According to a statement by Medica, “Although we have received no specific threats related to our campuses, our office buildings will be temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution.” The company has also removed biographies of its executives from its website as an additional safety measure.
Similarly, UnitedHealth Group, Thompson’s employer, has also taken similar steps by removing photos of its top executives from its website shortly after the shooting, later followed by the removal of their names and biographies.
In response to these events, Centene Corp., a major government health insurer, has shifted its upcoming investor day on Dec. 12 to a virtual format.
CEO Sarah London expressed her condolences in a news release, stating, “All of us at Centene are deeply saddened by Brian Thompson’s death and want to express our support for all of those affected.”
Authorities are actively investigating Thompson’s murder, exploring potential leads such as the suspect’s possible bus travel from Atlanta to New York in late November, using information obtained from Greyhound.
New York Mayor Eric Adams expressed confidence in the apprehension of the suspect in a recent interview with TV station WPIX, stating, “We are on the right road to apprehend him and bring him to justice.”
This tragic incident has sparked discussions about the security of executives across various industries. Fred Burton of Ontic, a provider of threat management software, shared with The Associated Press that organizations have been seeking consultation on enhancing security measures.
Dave Komendat, president of DSKomendat Risk Management Services, highlighted the high-risk nature of investor meetings like the one Thompson was attending when he was shot, emphasizing the importance of thorough security protocols.
