FREE SPEECH ZONE | Six arrested at HCAN protest at UnitedHealth Group

One hundred plus HCAN protestors arrived at the South Tower of UnitedHealth Group, the nation’s largest private health insurer, about 10:00 AM, Monday, October 5. Two school busses and some vans delivered the protest crew to UH HQ. The individuals told their stories of why change was needed now. Six were arrested by Minnetonka Police when they refused to leave the front door.

 "We’re here today to stop UnitedHealth Group from continuing its business practice of denying health coverage and insurance claims as the primary means of turning a profit,” said Julie Schnell, President of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and one of those involved in the protest.  “Enough is enough.  The status quo is failing most Americans. The time has come for Congress to ensure we have the health care we can afford and that means the choice of a public health insurance option.”

In addition to ongoing federal lobbying efforts, UnitedHealth Group has also been involved in work to prevent a public option from becoming law. In an August email, the insurer’s advocacy group “UnitedHealth’s United for Health Reform,” urged employees to attend town hall meetings and contact congressional members to elevate anti-reform messaging.  And UnitedHealth Group, through its subsidiary Ingenix, is the sole owner and funder of the Lewin Group, which produces polling and research content widely cited by the GOP to stop health care reform.

Bill Sorem