John,
The recent death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has sent shockwaves through the country. While the media has gone into a frenzy about catching the suspect, an undeniable truth has emerged: the growing dissatisfaction with America’s healthcare system. The online reactions to his death are disturbing, yet they reflect a deep-seated frustration with an industry that has repeatedly failed to provide people with the care they desperately need.
Americans, particularly those struggling to access healthcare, have openly expressed their anger towards the very industry Thompson represented. Social media was flooded with cynical comments mocking the tragedy, with some suggesting that Thompson’s demise was justified, given his company’s role in perpetuating an unjust system. This system has led to financial hardship, pain for the working class, and even death when people's cases are denied.
These remarks, though dark and unsettling, are symptomatic of a larger problem—the immense power and unchecked behavior of insurance companies in the U.S.
Take the example of UnitedHealthcare, the company Thompson led. The insurance giant has an alarming 32% denial rate for claims—far above the industry average. These denials disproportionately affect the most vulnerable among us, those who are already facing dire health situations. In a ProPublica investigation, it was revealed that UnitedHealthcare used algorithms to deny mental health care based on arbitrary, cost-driven targets. This isn’t an isolated incident; it’s a pervasive pattern of behavior that has left countless patients without the care they need.
And yet, this is the system that is allowed to persist, despite widespread outrage. Time and again, reform efforts have been thwarted by powerful industry groups, including the very insurance companies that profit from the status quo. The political opposition to meaningful healthcare reform, driven by corporate interests, has been a constant force in blocking change for nearly a century.
We are constantly told that the system needs to be maintained to keep costs down, but it’s clear that the current approach is neither effective nor humane. Americans are faced with a stark reality: if they don’t have the right insurance plan or aren’t able to navigate the maze of red tape, they simply won’t get the care they need.
It’s time for this system to change. The murder of Brian Thompson, while tragic, serves as a reminder of the broken system that thrives on denying care and making a profit off the misfortune of others. We cannot continue to allow insurance companies to prioritize profits over people’s lives. The call for a healthcare system that works for everyone is louder than ever—let’s answer it.
