The lack of widespread mourning following the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson reflects deep-seated public anger towards the healthcare insurance industry’s profiteering practices. This anger stems from insurers prioritizing profits over patient care, leading to denied claims, unaffordable costs, and compromised healthcare access. The overwhelmingly negative public reaction underscores the urgent need for systemic reform, as current attempts at regulation have failed to address the core issue of prioritizing corporate profits over patient well-being. A single-payer national health program is presented as a potential solution to alleviate the suffering caused by the current system.
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Insurance is what makes U.S. health-care prices so high. The sheer profit margins of insurance companies are staggering. They extract a significant portion of every healthcare dollar spent, far exceeding the administrative costs of government programs like Medicare. This stark contrast undermines the frequent claim that private corporations are inherently more efficient than government.
Insurance is what makes U.S. health-care prices so high because the system incentivizes cost inflation. Regulations like the Affordable Care Act’s 80/20 rule, while intending to control costs, inadvertently contribute to the problem. The rule mandates that insurers spend at least 80% of premiums on healthcare; however, the remaining 20% – allocated for administrative costs, overhead, and marketing – also includes profits.… Continue reading
A new poll reveals that most Americans hold the perpetrator primarily responsible for the murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, Brian Thompson. However, a significant portion also attribute responsibility to the company’s profit margins and denials of health care coverage, particularly younger Americans. This widespread belief reflects long-standing frustrations with the healthcare system and insurance industry practices. About 30% of respondents reported personal struggles with insurance coverage in the past year, further highlighting public discontent.
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I was a health insurance executive. What I saw made me quit. It wasn’t a single event, but a slow dawning realization of the system’s inherent cruelty and the complicity of those within it. The pursuit of profit above all else permeated every decision, every meeting, every strategy session.
It started subtly. The subtle nudges towards denying claims, framed as “cost-saving measures.” The training emphasized identifying “unnecessary expenses,” turning adjusters into soldiers in a war against the insured. Denying a claim from a woman who’d paid premiums for twenty years, citing “pre-existing damage,” was a turning point. It felt profoundly wrong, a betrayal of the very trust the system was built upon.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood