According to Bloomberg Law, UnitedHealth is pushing back against allegations that paint it as an industry villain, especially following a viral claim made by plastic surgeon Dr. Elisabeth Potter.
What Triggered UnitedHealth’s Legal Action?
Back on January 7, Dr. Potter took to Instagram with a shocking claim: UnitedHealthcare allegedly interrupted her mid-surgery to question an inpatient stay for a breast cancer patient. She went on to say that the company denied the patient an overnight stay and later threatened her legally for speaking out.
Dr. Potter even shared what appeared to be a letter from Clare Locke, dated January 13. The firm didn’t hold back:
“We are writing to demand you correct your knowingly false, misleading, and defamatory posts regarding UnitedHealthcare.”
UnitedHealth claims Potter got her facts wrong and insists it would never ask a doctor to step out mid-surgery. The company is demanding a retraction and a public apology.
But Dr. Potter isn’t backing down. She fired back on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“I am a woman taking care of women affected by breast cancer. I do this work with all of my heart, and I will continue to speak up for my patients—because they deserve better.”
UnitedHealthcare responded in a statement to Fortune, saying:
“There are no insurance-related circumstances that would ever require a physician to step out of surgery, as doing so would create potential safety risks and we would never ask or expect a physician to interrupt patient care to return a call.”
The insurer also denies refusing coverage for the patient’s care, saying an overnight stay had already been approved.
UnitedHealth Faces Online Backlash Following CEO’s Tragic Death
Ever since the unexpected passing of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, social media has been flooded with criticism—not just about the company’s insurance policies, but about the circumstances surrounding his death. Some people have even gone as far as praising his alleged killer, a disturbing trend that hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman also jumped into the conversation with a since-deleted post questioning UnitedHealth’s business practices. He wrote:
“I wouldn’t be shocked if the company’s profits are massively inflated due to its denials of necessary medical procedures and patient care.”
That post had an immediate effect—UnitedHealth’s stock dropped by 4.3% the very next day.
UnitedHealth took the situation seriously, reaching out to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding Ackman’s statements. Now, with Clare Locke in its corner, the company is signaling that it’s ready to fight back against online narratives that it deems harmful.
[Insert Image: Stock Chart Showing UnitedHealth’s Drop After Ackman’s Post with Alt Text: “UnitedHealth Stock Dips Following Social Media Claims”]
Who Is Clare Locke? The Law Firm Defending UnitedHealth
UnitedHealth isn’t playing when it comes to its reputation. That’s why it tapped Clare Locke, a law firm known for handling high-profile defamation cases.
Founded by husband-and-wife duo Tom Clare and Libby Locke, this firm has made a name for itself in major media battles. One of its most famous cases? Representing Dominion Voting Systems in its $1.6 billion lawsuit against Fox News. That case ended with Fox settling for a jaw-dropping $787.5 million.
Clare Locke specializes in aggressive legal tactics, often going after journalists, media outlets, and social media users who they believe are spreading false information. Their involvement suggests UnitedHealth is taking a no-nonsense approach to controlling its public image.
FAQs About UnitedHealth’s Legal Moves
Why did UnitedHealth hire a defamation law firm?
UnitedHealth hired Clare Locke to combat what it calls false and defamatory statements about the company, especially those spreading on social media.
What did Dr. Elisabeth Potter say about UnitedHealthcare?
Dr. Potter claimed that UnitedHealthcare interrupted her during surgery to question an inpatient stay for a breast cancer patient. She also alleged that the company denied coverage and later threatened her legally for speaking out.
How did UnitedHealthcare respond to the allegations?
The company denies ever asking a doctor to step out mid-surgery and insists it had already approved coverage for the patient’s care.
What impact did Bill Ackman’s comments have on UnitedHealth?
After Ackman questioned UnitedHealth’s profit strategies in a now-deleted post, the company’s stock dropped by 4.3%, prompting it to contact the SEC.
Who is Clare Locke, and what cases have they handled?
Clare Locke is a Virginia-based law firm specializing in defamation cases. They previously represented Dominion Voting Systems in a $1.6 billion lawsuit against Fox News, which ended in a $787.5 million settlement.
Will UnitedHealth take legal action against social media users?
While no lawsuits have been filed yet, the company has sent legal notices demanding retractions and apologies from those making claims against them.
Conclusion: UnitedHealth Isn’t Letting Up
UnitedHealth’s decision to bring in Clare Locke shows they’re not taking online criticism lightly. Whether it’s doctors, investors, or everyday people calling them out, the company is making it clear: they’re ready to fight back.
While Dr. Potter and others continue to speak out, the legal battle is just getting started. The question is—will this silence the critics, or will it only add more fuel to the fire?
