In its first results since its insurance unit CEO was fatally shot in New York City, UnitedHealth Group reported Thursday weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter revenue, prompting its shares to fall in early morning trading despite quarterly profit beating projections.

The UnitedHealth Group leader whose murder in December unleashed a torrent of public frustration and dissatisfaction with the U.S. health care system was pushing for some of the very improvements that critics have been seeking.

UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty said on Thursday that healthcare in the U.S. needs to be "less confusing, less complex and less costly" during the company's first earnings call since the murder of Brian Thompson,

UnitedHealth Group (UNH) , the largest health insurance provider in the U.S., ended 2024 on a devastating note. The company, which owns UnitedHealthcare and Optum, has been embroiled in massive controversy after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in front of a Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan last month.

Insurance is shaping up to be one of the big themes of 2025. The California wildfires have put a spotlight on the property side of the business, while the recent murder of Brian Thompson, one of the top executives at UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH),