Shareholders of UnitedHealth Group (UHG) are pressuring the company’s board of directors to address growing concerns about its policies.
They are calling for a detailed report examining how UHG’s practices—specifically its use of prior authorization and denial of coverage—impact access to medical care, patient outcomes, and the broader economy.
The proposal urges the company to investigate whether its policies result in delayed or abandoned treatments, potentially causing severe adverse outcomes for patients.
The shareholders argue that such practices could tarnish the company’s brand and undermine investor confidence by exacerbating consumer debt, reducing workforce productivity, and straining public resources.
In a statement supporting the proposal, the shareholders warned that UHG’s policies risk “jeopardizing health of policyholders and thereby reducing workforce productivity, straining government resources, and risking increased taxes.”
The proposal has garnered support from a coalition of religious organizations, including the Benedictine Sisters of Baltimore, Mercy Investment Services, and the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia.
Timnit Ghermay, director of the Northwest Coalition for Responsible Investment (NWCRI), emphasized the urgency of the request, citing recent controversies surrounding UHG’s operations.
“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,” Ghermay said.
She also referenced the tragic killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, calling it a stark reminder of the growing public anger over rising healthcare costs and restricted access.
UnitedHealth Group has largely deflected criticism of its policies, directing inquiries to a prior statement addressing what it called “misinformation” about its claim processes.
“Highly inaccurate and grossly misleading information has been circulated about our company’s treatment of insurance claims,” the company said, noting that it approves and pays 90 percent of claims upon submission.
However, congressional scrutiny has painted a less favorable picture.
A Senate report last year found that UHG and other insurers disproportionately denied post-acute care services under Medicare Advantage plans.
For UnitedHealthcare, such denials occurred at three times the rate of other services, raising questions about the fairness of its practices.
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