Shareholders of UnitedHealth Group have filed a proposal for the 2025 proxy asking the board of directors to prepare a report on the public health-related costs and macroeconomic risks created by company practices that limit or delay access to health care.
A group that represents faith-based shareholders have asked for a report that evaluates how the company practices impact access to health care and patient outcomes, including analyses of how often prior authorization requirements or denials of coverage lead to delay or abandonment of medical treatment and serious adverse events for patients.
The call for the proposal comes in the wake of last month’s murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the public outrage and grievances about insurance companies.
The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), an association made up of a cross-section of faith-based investors, said in an announcement it represents institutional investors who have been engaging UnitedHealth Group and other health care companies for years about access and affordability. The group said that while policies may boost short-term revenues, its vertical integrated business model and escalating costs pose broader risks to the economy.
“UNH has been in the media and legislative spotlight for some time given its market dominance, aggressive marketing of Medicare Advantage and questionable use of AI algorithms to deny care to patients,” said Timnit Ghermay of the Congregation des Soeurs des Saints Noms de Jesus et de Marie, who led the filing of the proposal. “Our proposal suggests some introspection by UNH that will help the company, and all its stakeholders thrive.”
A spokesperson for UnitedHealth told Reuters that the company will respond to shareholder proposals for its 2025 proxy statement once it files the document that serves as an agenda for its annual meeting.