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Manhunt underway for suspect in shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO
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UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting puts a spotlight on corporate security
In the wake of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson‘s killing in New York City Wednesday morning, some companies are taking additional precautionary measures to protect their executives while corporate security firms are reporting an uptick in interest in their services.
The shooting of Thompson, who did not appear to have a security detail with him when he was attacked outside a Manhattan hotel, is shining a light on the business of protecting prominent corporate executives, whose security costs can reach millions of dollars per year.
It’s common for the top brass at public companies to be protected by guards around the clock, according to security experts. Social media’s amplification of everyday individuals’ dissatisfaction with a particular person, product or service have only heightened the need for protection, they say. That’s particularly true in an industry like health care insurance, when many Americans say they are dissatisfied with the services they receive.
Indeed, in the wake of Thompson’s killing, many on social media expressed vitriol for some health insurers’ practices.
“We’ve gotten to a point where health care is so inaccessible and unaffordable, people are justified in their frustrations,” Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, told CBS Mornings about the public voicing its frustrations.
To be sure, some of the biggest U.S. companies, particularly those in the tech sector, were spending heavily on personal and residential security for their top executives prior to Thompson’s killing. Meta, whose businesses include Facebook and Instagram, reported the highest spending on personal security for top executives last year, at more than $24 million, filings culled by research firm Equilar show.
While Thompson had an in-house security detail during his New York City visit, it wasn’t with him at the time of the shooting, according to CNN, which cited a source familiar with UnitedHealthcare’s security.
In the wake of the attack, corporate security experts said companies should take time to evaluate their corporate security protocols and beef up protective measures, if necessary, to protect against a variety of threats.
“My phone has been ringing off hook, with calls in particular coming from health care leaders who are reevaluating their security,” said Paul Sarnese, a safety and security consultant and former president of the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS).
He said the deadly incident will likely prompt more executives to seek more robust protection. “This incident will definitely change those executives’ minds that might have been reluctant to initiate security protocols. I think they’ll be more receptive to executive protection,” he said.
Too much information
In the wake of Thompson’s death, some companies are taking steps to limit publicly available information about their executives. For example, a page on UnitedHealthcare’s website about the company’s leadership — where Thompson and other executives’ bios were listed — no longer exists, and instead redirects to the company’s home page.
Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm, as well as other insurers have taken similar actions, their websites show.
Medica told the Associated Press Friday that it is temporarily closing its six offices for security reasons, in addition to removing executives bios’ from its website.
“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 said in a statement.
Experts say these types of moves are wise.
“I think we share too much. I don’t need to know where you live and that you’re married and have three wonderful kids,” Sarnese said. “We don’t need to advertise to the public where the president and CEO are sitting.”
While executives across all industries should be evaluating their security postures, healthcare industry professionals have received more threats in recent years as a result of divisiveness that arose around safety protocols, including mask mandates, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarnese said.
“Every industry has challenges because there is always going to be somebody who is upset with a service or product or philosophy. But COVID changed everything. We never saw the level of threats we saw during COVID toward healthcare workers and leaders, because of some of the mistrust and misinformation that was out there in the community,” he said.
“All the ways things can go wrong”
Security industry veteran Brittney Blair of K2 Integrity said that online threat monitoring is as essential as physical protection.
More companies are becoming more active in tracking cyber threats, including monitoring the web and dark web.
“I think people want to take a more proactive approach to making sure they are not in a situation where they’re caught off guard or not prepared for that bad thing,” she told CBS MoneyWatch. “You cannot predict crime, and you can’t prevent all of it, but you should be doing as much as you can to make sure you’re getting ahead of any possible threat that could be coming your way.”
contributed to this report.
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7 reasons to consolidate your credit card debt this holiday season
With the holiday season underway, millions of Americans are grappling with an unprecedented level of credit card debt, which has surged beyond $1.17 trillion nationwide. This staggering figure isn’t just a number — it represents countless families struggling under the weight of high-rate debt, with the average cardholder owing approximately $8,000 on their credit cards before even starting their holiday shopping. And with average credit card interest rates sitting above 23%, many households are at risk of being trapped in an increasingly difficult financial situation.
Part of the issue is that a combination of rising interest rates, inflation-driven spending increases and a traditional surge in holiday expenses is creating a perfect storm for even more credit card debt accumulation. With delinquency rates climbing and more cardholders maxing out their credit limits, the need for strategic financial management is becoming increasingly urgent. Add in the holiday season, which is traditionally associated with increased spending, and it presents both challenges and opportunities for those seeking to regain control of their financial future.
For example, taking advantage of credit card debt consolidation could offer relief from the burden of high-rate debt. By combining multiple credit card balances into a single loan with a lower interest rate, borrowers can potentially save thousands of dollars in interest charges — and there are some compelling reasons to pursue this type of debt relief during this holiday season in particular.
Find out how to get rid of your credit card debt now.
7 reasons to consolidate your credit card debt this holiday season
If you’re dealing with high-rate credit card debt, here’s why you may want to consider consolidating your credit card debt right now.
To take advantage of seasonal offers
Many banks and credit unions will roll out special promotions during the holiday season, including low-interest personal loans or 0% APR balance transfer offers — both of which can be used to consolidate multiple credit card debts into one lower-cost borrowing option. Many of these offers come with terms that can help you save significantly, especially if you act before the new year when rates and terms might change. By acting during this period, you can potentially secure more favorable terms than at other times of the year — but you’ll need to take advantage of them before they expire.
Take advantage of what debt relief can offer you now.
To get ahead of holiday spending
Consolidating your existing debt before the holiday shopping season allows you to enter this high-spending period with a clear financial strategy. By securing a fixed-rate consolidation loan or balance transfer card, you can better manage your existing debt while maintaining separate tracking of any new holiday expenses. This separation helps prevent the common problem of combining pre-holiday debt with new seasonal charges, which often leads to confusion and financial stress.
To improve your cash flow
The holidays come with a long list of expenses, from travel to gifts and special meals. Consolidating your credit card debt can reduce your monthly payment by spreading the repayment over a longer term or securing a lower interest rate. This extra breathing room in your budget can help you handle holiday costs without resorting to even more credit card spending, which could exacerbate your financial situation. It’s a proactive step that ensures you’re not stretched too thin during a time of year when cash flow matters most.
To avoid maxing out your credit cards
A maxed-out credit card can hurt your credit utilization ratio, which is a key factor in your credit score. High utilization signals to lenders that you may be overextended financially. Consolidating your debt allows you to pay off your credit card balances in full, freeing up your credit limit. This not only improves your credit score but also provides a safety net for unexpected expenses that might arise during the holidays, such as last-minute travel changes or emergency repairs.
To reduce financial stress
The mental toll of juggling multiple credit card payments, high rates and mounting balances can overshadow the joy of the holidays. But debt consolidation provides a clear, manageable path forward, allowing you to focus on enjoying time with family and friends instead of worrying about your finances. When your debt feels under control, it’s easier to maintain a positive outlook and fully engage in the holiday spirit.
To set yourself up for financial success in the new year
Starting January with a clear plan to tackle your debt can set the tone for a financially healthy year. By consolidating your credit card balances now, you can enter the new year with lower monthly payments, reduced interest rates and a realistic timeline for becoming debt-free. This proactive approach makes it easier to stick to your financial resolutions and avoid the post-holiday “debt hangover” that many people experience.
To avoid the snowball effect of credit card debt
Holiday spending on top of existing credit card debt can create a dangerous cycle. As balances increase, so do interest charges, making it harder to pay down what you owe. Debt consolidation halts this snowball effect by combining balances into a single, lower-interest loan or program. This enables you to make real progress on your debt without falling further behind due to compounding interest.
The bottom line
Debt consolidation can be an effective tool for managing credit card debt and taking advantage of what it offers this holiday season could have a big impact on your finances. By making this move now, you have an excellent opportunity to reassess your financial priorities and implement positive changes that can lead to long-term financial stability in the new year. Remember, though, that it’s essential to combine this strategy with sustainable spending habits and a solid budgeting plan.
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Details on person of interest in UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting
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