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Marcos to AFP: Modernization also calls for self-reliance
NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.
Group empowers Osun secondary school students with IT skillsGovernment to keep Hitachi Newton Aycliffe on track as landmark deal to be announcedI'm a Celeb fans slam 'aggressive' Dean McCullough in argument with Alan HalsallLUANDA, Angola (AP) — President Joe Biden's long-delayed trip to Africa had many of the hallmarks of a traditional state visit: There was a 12-shot cannon salute. A series of warm handshakes with Angolan President João Lourenço. Celebratory music. Photo opportunities. But another issue overshadowed the visit. When reporters tried to question the president about why he gave his son Hunter a far-reaching pardon after repeatedly saying he would not do so, Biden tried to brush aside the questions. He gestured toward Lourenço and laughed, declaring, “Welcome to America.” Biden saluted Lourenço for his efforts to bolster stronger U.S. relations, declared that Africa and its booming youth population would shape the world's future and even indulged his love of trains by championing a major railway project that his administration says could change the way the entire continent does business. Some takeaways from the president's visit: Biden offered the joke about America before his meeting with Lourenço, and he answered a question on Tuesday about the political situation in South Korea, saying only that he'd not been briefed — something that was rectified moments later when advisers filled him in on what was happening as the motorcade sped away from a site where he'd given a speech. Other than that, Biden went the entire trip, which began Sunday night and included two brief stopovers in Cape Verde in addition to Angola, dodging reporters. He did similar during last month's six-day visit to South America . Since Biden announced his pardon decision shortly before climbing aboard Air Force One bound for Africa, it fell to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre to spend nearly half an hour offering long and awkward answers to uncomfortable questions aboard the aircraft hours later. Biden said in a statement explaining the pardon that, while he believed in the justice system, he also felt that politics had infected the cases against his son and “enough was enough.” Jean-Pierre maintained that he wasn't trying to have it both ways. “I don’t think it’s a contradiction,” she said. “Two things could be true. You can believe in the Department of Justice system, and you could also believe that the process was infected politically.” She also bristled when it was suggested that such complaints about the Department of Justice smacked of President-elect Donald Trump's promises to dismantle the “deep state” of federal bureaucrats that he's said for years are out to unfairly undermine him and fellow top Republicans. During his meeting with Lourenço at the presidential palace, Biden said, “The United States is all in on Africa,” and extolled how strong Angolan relations were with Washington. His administration has invested billions in Angola, with the centerpiece being promoting the Lobito Corridor, a vast project to revitalize supply chains by refurbishing 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) of train lines in Angola, Zambia and Congo. Given where Angola was barely a generation ago, the alliance is in many ways remarkable. An oil-rich nation on Africa's southwest coast, Angola achieved independence from Portugal in 1975, but spent subsequent years embroiled in civil war, which often featured proxy fighting between U.S.-backed forces and those allied with the Soviet Union. Even today, the country's red and black flag features a yellow machete and half-cog, an insignia resembling the Soviet hammer and sickle. But Biden leaves office on Jan. 20, and Lourenço, like many leaders of African nations, has already begun suggesting that he's looking toward a Trump-dominated future. Biden administration officials say they're hopeful Trump and top Republicans will continue a business-friendly approach to investing in Africa that includes continuing to support the Lobito Corridor. Biden lauded Lourenço for helping boost his country's relationship with the United States, and he said the youth of Africa would change the world. He also visited the country’s national slavery museum, stressing how Angola and the United States — which were once linked by the horrors of enslaved human beings, now could increasingly be linked by economic opportunity. But if Biden came to Angola hoping to cement his foreign policy legacy in this country and throughout Africa, it will actually fall to Trump — the man he beat in the 2020 election and spent much of 2024 running against before bowing out of the race in July — to see it through.
Dillard’s, Inc. Announces Special Dividend of $25.00 Per Share and Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.25 Per Share
UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York
Kings break through in victory over the KrakenUnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York
Once the celebrities had tucked into a feast, thanks to Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles winning 12 portions of food in ‘Terrifying Teddy Bears’ Picnic’, the first argument of the series took place between Dean McCullough and Corrie's Alan Halsall. Dean had to be woken up by Alan from his sleep as the campmates needed wood for the fire, which Jane Moore needed help carrying - due to current roles in the camp, Dean was the only person who was allowed to do it. But a hesitant Dean accused Alan of saying he "didn't fancy it" when instead, he just "needed a minute" to sort his contact lenses. Your votes mean Coleen and Dean are about to have a trucking terrifying time when they face Absolute Carnage ⚠️ #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/Q9PcJ3SwF1 In response to this, I'm a Celebrity fans have slammed Dean for being "aggressive" towards Alan. One said on X: "nah but there was no need for Dean to go off at Alan like that #ImACeleb" Another wrote: "Dean and this aggression??? Don’t speak to Alan like that #imaceleb" Someone posted: "Omg is dean serious?! Alan couldn’t of been nicer when trying to wake him up! #imaceleb" This person agreed: "what was actually wrong with what alan said to dean?? he was being so gentle with him like huh ?? #imaceleb" Did you see this argument between Dean and Alan? (Image: ITV) This user noticed: "dean didn’t even go straight down to get the wood he went down to argue with alan?? #imaceleb" "Protect Alan at all costs," hailed an ITV viewer. Elsewhere, Wayne Rooney has encouraged I'm a Celebrity viewers to vote for his wife Coleen to do a trial as he feels she would want to “put herself to the test”. The former England footballer, 39, said he was “proud” of how Coleen was doing in the Australian jungle in a post on social media on Saturday. (function (d, s, n) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; js = d.createElement(s); js.className = n; js.src = "//player.ex.co/player/abffe1c9-94c2-4cb8-9e4b-edf636d234a3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); js.setAttribute('programmatic', 'true'); js.onload = function () { const playerApi237931 = ExCoPlayer.connect('abffe1c9-94c2-4cb8-9e4b-edf636d234a3'); playerApi237931.init({ "autoPlay": false, "mute": true, "showAds": true, "playbackMode": "play-in-view", "content": { "playFirst": [ { "title": "How much is Ant and Dec's net worth?", "src": "https://large-cdn.ex.co/transformations/production/3dac3c05-257d-45d2-b760-c1524f8b72f3/720p.mp4" } ], "playlistId": "649af81e79e0a90012add765" }, "sticky": { "mode": "persistent", "closeButton": true, "pauseOnClose": true, "desktop": { "enabled": false, "position": "bottom-right" }, "mobile": { "enabled": false, "position": "upper-small" } }}); }; }(document, 'script', 'exco-player')); The couple, who first met at school and began dating aged 16, share four sons – Kai Wayne, Klay Anthony, Kit Joseph and Cass Mac. Recommended reading: Ant accused of 'bullying' I'm A Celebrity campmate over 'aimed digs' I’m A Celebrity viewers say new addition ‘is the best thing to happen’ on show Dean McCullough faces scrutiny for bringing banned item into I’m A Celeb jungle “Proud of @ColeenRoo on @imacelebrity she’s doing great”, he wrote on X, alongside a collage of photos of her on the show. “Me and the boys would love to see her doing a trial and we know she’d want to put herself to the test. “If you can download the #ImACeleb and let’s get voting!” I'm a Celebrity continues on ITV1 and ITVX from 9pm on Sunday, November 24.
Are you an Nvidia investor? President-elect Donald Trump just gave some terrific news for you; here's all about itTrump asks Georgia appeals court to end state case against himPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Chris Austin's 20 points off of the bench helped lead Portland to a 74-64 victory over Lafayette on Saturday night. Austin shot 6 of 11 from the field and 6 of 7 from the free-throw line for the Pilots (5-8). Austin Rapp scored 15 points while shooting 4 for 6 (2 for 4 from 3-point range) and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line and added eight rebounds. Kelson Gebbers shot 2 for 4 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 10 points. Justin Vander Baan led the Leopards (5-7) in scoring, finishing with 17 points and two steals. Lafayette also got 11 points and four assists from Mark Butler. Alex Chaikin also had 11 points. Portland entered halftime up 31-22. Austin paced the team in scoring in the first half with 12 points. Portland used a 14-3 second-half run to come back from a one-point deficit and take the lead at 55-45 with 8:56 remaining in the half before finishing off the victory. Rapp scored nine second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .