CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey filed a lawsuit Monday against United Healthcare’s pharmacy benefit manager, Optum, and its affiliated companies, alleging the company contributed to the widespread oversupply of opioids in the state.

“Optum played a key role in the man-made medical crisis that destroyed countless lives and decimated our state,” McCuskey said. “When Optum came into West Virginia around 2010, it knew the toll that opioids were exacting on West Virginia families and communities. We called it a crisis. Optum saw a business opportunity. And in its greed, Optum chose to make things worse. It is time that Optum, whose critical role was previously unknown, is held accountable.”

The lawsuit claims that, while the dangers of opioids were well known, O

See Full Page