MINNETONKA, MN - According to protest organizers, The People's Action Institute, eleven protesters blocking a roadway near UnitedHealthcare's Minnetonka headquarters were arrested on Monday. The Minnetonka Police Department took the protesters into custody citing the participants with misdemeanors and releasing them from the scene per reporting from Star Tribune and CBS News.
The Health Care for All Campaign Director at People’s Action Institute, Aija Nemer-Aanerud, explained the protest's stated purpose in a statement released Tuesday, which read, "UnitedHealth Group’s $7.9 billion quarterly profit announcement is the result of a business model built on pocketing premiums and billions of dollars in public funds, then profiting by refusing to authorize or pay for care.
People should not have to turn to public petitions or direct actions to get UnitedHealthcare to pay for the care they need to live. That makes no sense, unless you’re a shareholder or executive eyeing your next big luxury purchase."
UnitedHealthcare countered, telling the outlet that it has established a dialogue with the People's Action Institute and shared information on "member-related issues" that have been later resolved. A company spokesman told reporters that the company has requested to cooperate on Minnesota-specific cases but insists that the People's Action Institute hasn't shared any issues that are not already resolved.
The company said in a statement to CBS, "The safety and security of our employees is a top priority. We have resolved the member-specific concerns raised by this group and remain open to a constructive dialogue about ensuring access to high-quality, affordable care."
According to the Star Tribune, the citations issued by Minnetonka PD were for public nuisance namely "interfering/obstructing/rendering dangerous for passage any public highway or right-of-way."
The Health Care for All Campaign Director at People’s Action Institute, Aija Nemer-Aanerud, explained the protest's stated purpose in a statement released Tuesday, which read, "UnitedHealth Group’s $7.9 billion quarterly profit announcement is the result of a business model built on pocketing premiums and billions of dollars in public funds, then profiting by refusing to authorize or pay for care.
People should not have to turn to public petitions or direct actions to get UnitedHealthcare to pay for the care they need to live. That makes no sense, unless you’re a shareholder or executive eyeing your next big luxury purchase."
In a statement to CBS, Nemer-Aanerud added, "Health insurance coverage has expanded in America, but we are finding it is private health insurance corporations themselves that are often the largest barrier for people to receive the care they and their doctor agree they need."Our members are currently risking arrest to show @UHC we mean business when we demand they put #PeopleOverProfit and stop denying care!
— People's Action Institute (@PplsActionInst) July 15, 2024
Sign on to our demands: https://t.co/taRkNKKJsQ pic.twitter.com/oq9CzP81Pi
UnitedHealthcare countered, telling the outlet that it has established a dialogue with the People's Action Institute and shared information on "member-related issues" that have been later resolved. A company spokesman told reporters that the company has requested to cooperate on Minnesota-specific cases but insists that the People's Action Institute hasn't shared any issues that are not already resolved.
The company said in a statement to CBS, "The safety and security of our employees is a top priority. We have resolved the member-specific concerns raised by this group and remain open to a constructive dialogue about ensuring access to high-quality, affordable care."
According to the Star Tribune, the citations issued by Minnetonka PD were for public nuisance namely "interfering/obstructing/rendering dangerous for passage any public highway or right-of-way."
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