The 2024 Lown Institute Shkreli Awards highlighted ten egregious examples of healthcare profiteering and dysfunction. The awards recognized practices ranging from the alleged sale of unclaimed body parts by a university health science center to Medicare’s mass billing for urinary catheters, representing an 800% increase. Further awardees included a medical device company employing shady billing practices, a hospital system prioritizing profit over patient care, and a pharmaceutical company marketing a cancer drug at a significantly higher, less effective dose. These cases, selected by a panel of experts, underscore the urgent need for systemic healthcare reform.
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Dr. Zachary Levy’s viral social media post alleges UnitedHealthcare denied a claim for a comatose patient with a brain hemorrhage, heart failure, and ventilator dependence, citing a lack of proof of medical necessity. This incident follows the recent killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, sparking intense scrutiny of the health insurance industry and calls for reform. The company, while stating 90% of claims are approved, has not publicly addressed Levy’s specific case. The situation highlights ongoing frustrations with prior authorization requirements and the industry’s practices regarding claim denials.
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Senator Bernie Sanders proposes a nine-point plan, “Make America Healthy Again,” to overhaul the nation’s healthcare system. His plan prioritizes Medicare for All, arguing healthcare is a human right, and includes measures to lower prescription drug costs, improve working conditions, and address environmental concerns. This comprehensive approach aims to improve public health by tackling issues like paid leave, food industry reform, and mental health, contrasting sharply with the incoming administration’s priorities. Sanders directly challenges corporate greed, asserting that systemic change is necessary to achieve a healthier nation for all.
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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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A Gallup poll reveals that 62 percent of Americans—the highest percentage in over a decade—believe the government should ensure healthcare access for all citizens. This marks a significant increase from 42 percent in 2013 and reflects growing support across the political spectrum, particularly among Republicans and Independents. While support for a government-run healthcare system remains divided, the data contrasts with simultaneous Republican plans to potentially cut spending on programs like Obamacare and Medicaid to fund tax cuts. Despite this, the Affordable Care Act maintains relatively high public approval at 54 percent.
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Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah’s denial of coverage for the FDA-approved cancer drug Perjeta, prescribed by a specialist for a patient’s breast cancer treatment, exemplifies a critical flaw in the healthcare system. This denial contradicts established clinical guidelines and expert consensus, forcing the family to potentially shoulder over $160,000 in out-of-pocket costs. This case highlights how insurance companies obstruct access to necessary life-saving treatments, leaving patients in a precarious situation. The urgent need for systemic reform, including universal healthcare, is underscored by this and countless similar experiences.
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Over three million Americans, including 500,000 new enrollees, signed up for Obamacare coverage between November 1st and 22nd, with a majority residing in states that voted for Trump. Significantly, 82 percent of these 2025 enrollees live in states that voted for Trump, potentially creating political backlash against proposed ACA reforms. House Speaker Mike Johnson has stated that healthcare reform, including the elimination of Obamacare, is a key agenda item for the incoming administration. However, a former Obama advisor suggests that the significant number of Trump voters relying on the ACA makes sweeping changes politically difficult.
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The situation is truly disheartening: a medical student, facing a potentially life-threatening condition, is having her crucial medication denied by her insurance company. She reports that despite numerous attempts to get authorization, including submitting extensive documentation and appeals, the insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, remains steadfast in its refusal to cover the medication, Promacta (Eltrombopag), for her immune thrombocytopenia.
This isn’t an isolated incident; many people share similar experiences with insurance companies putting profits over patients’ well-being. Stories abound of individuals forced into repeated emergency room visits for necessary treatments simply because their insurance company won’t cover the medication from an out-of-state pharmacy or insists on generic alternatives despite documented ineffectiveness or harmful side effects.… Continue reading
The recent murder is unequivocally condemned; however, the resulting online anger highlights the deeply flawed and cruel American healthcare system. This system leads to preventable deaths (60,000 annually) and significant life expectancy disparities based on socioeconomic status. Fundamental change requires a political movement prioritizing healthcare as a human right, achievable through eliminating waste and administrative bloat within the current system, not necessarily increasing overall spending. This would allow quality care for all citizens, mirroring systems in other developed nations.
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Luigi Mangione’s arrest for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has sparked intense public reaction, ranging from schadenfreude to outrage, fueled by widespread disgust towards the American healthcare system. This anger stems from the exorbitant costs, frequent claim denials, and bureaucratic inefficiencies imposed by private insurers, leaving millions uninsured or underinsured. The incident highlights the systemic issues within the healthcare industry, where private insurers profit from a system that inflicts suffering on patients and wastes billions annually. Politicians are now acknowledging this public anger as a catalyst for reform and a potential impetus for change within the healthcare system.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood