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Security measures, by guests and the host, have stepped up at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in the wake of the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Why it matters: Tensions are high at the nation's largest health care conference after the killing of Thompson highlighted deep frustrations among Americans with the health care industry.

The latest: Union Square was crawling with security late Sunday afternoon as a sea of mostly navy blue-suited men wafted in and out of the Westin St. Francis, where the conference is centered.

What they're saying: "(Security's) beefed up for sure," one San Francisco police officer told Axios.

The security presence Sunday was only a fraction of what would materialize on Monday morning, said one Allied Universal security staff member, who stopped Erin to ask why she was taking so many photos.

"Tomorrow at 6am, we'll lock everything down," he said.

"[JPM is] working closely with the Westin St. Francis, the city of San Francisco, the San Francisco Police Department and various government agencies to increase security and to minimize any impact to our health care conference," a person familiar said.

Behind the scenes: Some insurers opted out of in-person attendance entirely, instead scheduling virtual meetings, one person with knowledge of the matter tells Axios.

Other health care employees were directed by their leaders to avoid any identifiable clothing or gear including vests, hats and badges with names and logos, another person with knowledge of the matter says.

Several executives Axios met on the periphery of the event for interviews brought additional staff, citing security reasons.

One CEO, for example, brought along another company staff member and an additional external security person.

By the numbers: Axios counted 11 police cars stationed on the two blocks where the hotel's main entrances are on Sunday at 4pm, and 29 security personnel.

Of the security staff, 16 were San Francisco police. Several wore bulletproof vests.

The other staff were with a private firm, Allied Universal.

J.P. Morgan expects to host roughly 8,000 attendees representing 500 private and public companies, per a person familiar.

The big picture: CEOs in the health care industry and beyond have sought additional security in general after the killing of Thompson, who led the insurance division of the country's largest health insurer by market share.

American adults are nearly as likely to blame insurance denials for the killing of Thompson as they are to blame the person who shot him, per poll data released in December.

JPM security measures rise after United Healthcare CEO killing

Tensions are high at the nation's largest health care conference after the killing of Brian Thompson highlighted deep frustrations among Americans with the health care industry.

Illustration of a security lock with binary code wearing a small stethoscope

Security measures, by guests and the host, have stepped up at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in the wake of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="killing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/04/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-killed-shot" data-vars-content-id="d4745d78-f565-43d9-8804-0382e501b88b" data-vars-headline="JPM security measures rise after United Healthcare CEO killing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/04/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-killed-shot" target="_self">killing</a> of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.Why it matters: Tensions are high at the nation&#x27;s largest health care conference after the killing of Thompson highlighted deep <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frustrations among Americans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/27/brian-thompson-killing-responsibility-survey-healthcare-insurance" data-vars-content-id="d4745d78-f565-43d9-8804-0382e501b88b" data-vars-headline="JPM security measures rise after United Healthcare CEO killing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/27/brian-thompson-killing-responsibility-survey-healthcare-insurance" target="_self">frustrations among Americans</a> with the health care industry.

JPM security measures rise after United Healthcare CEO killing

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