UnitedHealth Group CEO: 'Nothing more vital to the human condition than health care'

(FOX 9) - UnitedHealth Group's CEO sent a message to company employees offering words of support and encouraging them to do what's best for their clients.

The message comes a week after UnitedHealthcare's CEO, Brian Thompson, was shot and killed in New York City. 

READ MORE: UnitedHealthcare lawsuit: Physicians allege delay, deny, underpay practices

UnitedHealth Group message

What they're saying: The UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty shared a message of support with UnitedHealth Group colleagues, referencing "an extraordinarily difficult week", according to Fox News Digital.

In that message, Witty said, "We owe it to Brian to make good on our promise to make health care work better for everybody, in every way. That job never stops. No matter what's happening, we're going to be there for the moms and dads who brought one of their kids to a clinic this morning".

Witty also spoke to staff about the importance of their work, saying, "We’ll be there for people who need screenings, who need scans, who need surgery. And we’ll be there when people are coming out of the hospital — if only just to hold their hand as they get back on their feet," he added. "These are the things the people of this company do every day. Behind all of them are thousands more — making sure claims are paid, calls are handled, questions are answered. And, critically, that it’s all done at the highest possible standard of quality. And always — always — upholding the promise we’ve made to help make health care work better and work better for everyone."

The CEO ended the letter by saying, "Please look after yourselves, your teams and your loved ones. Be assured we will continue to take every possible precaution to ensure that you feel safe and supported, because you should expect that we’ll be there for you, too," with Witty concluding the letter by signing just his first name, Andrew.

Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Big picture view: UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in New York City the morning of Dec. 4 outside a Hilton Hotel before a UnitedHealthcare investor conference. Thompson, 50, lived in Maple Grove, Minnesota, with his wife and two sons.

While investigating the scene of the shooting, police found live rounds and ejected shell casings that had the words "deny", "depose", and "defend" written on them. The words on the ammunition may have been a reference to strategies insurance companies use to try to avoid paying claims, the Associated Press reported.

READ MORE: UnitedHealthcare CEO killing: Police say shell casings at scene match suspect's gun

The suspected shooter, Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, several days after the shooting. He was initially charged in Pennsylvania with an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false ID to police. Prosecutors in New York added a charge of murder. He's expected to be extradited to New York.

READ MORE: UnitedHealthcare CEO killing: Luigi Mangione charged with murder

Video shows him shouting to reporters as he entered court in Pennsylvania on Tuesday for an extradition hearing. Mangione appears to shout: "This is completely unjust and an insult to the intelligence of the American people. This is a lived experience."

The outburst came during the brief moments as he was pulled out of a squad vehicle and rushed into the courthouse.

Public reaction 

Local Perspective: Public reaction to the arrest of the accused UnitedHealthcare CEO killer has been mixed, with many sympathizing with the suspect. 

READ MORE: UnitedHealthcare CEO killer: Mixed response in MN to shooting

Much of the online discourse vents frustration at the United States health care system.

Police from multiple agencies surrounded UnitedHealthcare campus in Minnetonka, with a fence forming a security perimeter along with armored vehicles. 

A police spokesperson told FOX 9 on Tuesday that there was no threat or incident that prompted their presence, but an event inside that they were supporting.