The Assassination of UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian Thompson: A Symbol of the Public’s Frustration with Health Insurance Companies
A Glimpse into the Outpouring of Emotion
The apparent assassination of UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian Thompson on a Midtown Manhattan sidewalk has sparked an extraordinary outpouring of emotion. While it’s natural to be shocked and saddened by a 50-year-old father of two being shot dead in public, many people have also expressed fury about the way he and his company treat or mistreat people in their moments of greatest need.
A Torrent of Fury
The reactions, particularly on social media, have been mixed, with some people expressing horror and sadness, while others have been more gleeful about the killing. What’s striking is the sheer level of anger directed at UnitedHealthcare and other for-profit health insurance companies.
UnitedHealthcare: A Company with a Questionable Track Record
UnitedHealthcare is a particularly egregious example of a company that prioritizes profits over people. It has been accused of using a flawed artificial intelligence algorithm to deny healthcare to elderly and disabled patients. According to an investigation by the medical news site Stat and a federal lawsuit recently filed in Minnesota, the company pressures its medical staff to cut off payments for seriously ill patients, denying rehabilitation care for older and disabled Americans as profits soar.
Breach of Federal Law
ProPublica reported last month that UnitedHealthcare uses algorithms to identify people deemed guilty of "therapy overuse" and deny mental health treatment. California and Massachusetts determined that the company was breaking the federal law that requires insurers to cover mental health issues the same way they cover physical ailments. In New York alone, the company denied claims for more than 34,000 therapy sessions from 2013 to 2020, saving the company about $8 million.
Executive Stock Trades Under Scrutiny
Adding to the unsavory picture, four of UnitedHealthcare’s top executives, including Thompson, have been under scrutiny for $101.5 million in stock trades they made after the company was informed that it was the target of a federal antitrust investigation but before the news became public and the stock price dropped.
The Public’s Reaction
As of Friday morning, more than 85,000 people had reacted to UnitedHealthcare’s solemn Facebook statement about Thompson’s death with a laugh emoji. People on other social media platforms also piled on.
Stories of Terrible Interactions
The outpouring of stories about terrible interactions with UnitedHealthcare has been overwhelming. Elizabeth Austin, a single mother from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, shared her miserable experience with the company after her young daughter was diagnosed with leukemia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company refused to pay for a feeding tube, forcing Austin to pay $900 a month out of pocket. When her daughter developed a sensitivity to a sedative, the company denied payment again, and Austin paid for that as well.
Conclusion
The assassination of Brian Thompson has become an unwitting symbol of the terrible things health insurance companies do to people for money. The public’s reaction is a reflection of the widespread frustration and anger towards these companies, which prioritize profits over people’s health and well-being.
FAQs
Q: What is the motive behind the assassination of Brian Thompson?
A: The motive is currently unknown and under investigation.
Q: What is the reaction to UnitedHealthcare’s statement about Thompson’s death?
A: Many people on social media have reacted with a laugh emoji.
Q: What is the context behind the outpouring of stories about terrible interactions with UnitedHealthcare?
A: The stories are a reflection of the public’s frustration and anger towards the company and its treatment of patients.
Q: What is the company’s track record like?
A: UnitedHealthcare has been accused of using a flawed algorithm to deny healthcare to elderly and disabled patients, breaching federal law, and prioritizing profits over people’s health and well-being.
