14 charged at NYC sit-in at health insurance giant United Health Group, 1 of 9 protests in US

14 charged in NYC protest at health insurer office

NEW YORK — New York City police say 14 demonstrators were arrested on criminal trespass charges during a sit-in inside a midtown Manhattan building where insurance giant United Health Group has offices.

Demonstrations against large private health insurance firms Thursday were also held in Washington, D.C.; Cleveland; Phoenix; Palm Beach, Fla.; Boston; Reno, Nev.; Portland, Ore.; and Los Angeles.

Spokeswoman Laurie Wen of the Mobilization for Health Care for All coalition says its goal is a single-payer health insurance system financed by the U.S. government and privately delivered.

A United Health Group spokesman did not immediately return a message left Thursday evening requesting comment.