Brian Thompson, the Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare, tragically lost his life on Wednesday in a shooting incident outside the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan.
Mr. Thompson, aged 50, assumed the role of CEO for UnitedHealthcare—the insurance division of UnitedHealth Group—in April 2021. His tragic assassination has sparked a profound and intense reaction on social media, highlighting widespread anger towards health insurers.
UnitedHealthcare, as one of the nation’s largest private health insurers, faces scrutiny for having the highest rate of denied claims, leaving many individuals without essential life-saving coverage. Thompson’s untimely death serves as a stark reminder of these pressing issues within the healthcare system.
And yes, Thompson was likely a target for insurance reasons. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that the shooting was not “a random act of violence,” and instead had all the hallmarks of an assassination.
“I want to be clear — at this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack,” said Tisch.
Although his murder is undeniably a painful ordeal for his family and loved ones, the absence of empathy on social media highlights a deeper issue. It reflects the mounting frustration and resentment toward America’s struggling healthcare and insurance systems.
This situation underscores the urgent need for reform to address these systemic failures that affect us all.
Former Washington Post and New York Times journalist Taylor Lorenz seemed to express an overwhelming sense of satisfaction following the shocking incident. The ongoing situation highlights a critical issue, as Lorenz shared an unmarked graphic revealing UnitedHealthcare’s claim denial rates, which independent journalist Ken Klippenstein described as “the legacy of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.”
In her initial post regarding Thompson’s passing, she highlighted a critical issue with Blue Cross Blue Shield, a competitor of UnitedHealthcare. She pointed out that they “will no longer pay for anesthesia for the full length of some surgeries.”
“And people wonder why we want these executives dead,” Lorenz added.
“When the people resort to force, it’s labeled as ‘violence’ and ‘terror.’ Yet, when the powerful employ force, it’s termed ‘law enforcement’ and ‘policy.'”
Lorenz passionately contends that healthcare is an undeniable human right, urging immediate action toward universal healthcare. Moreover, she shared a compelling post that challenges us to reconsider how we perceive force differently when wielded by ordinary citizens versus those in power. This thought-provoking perspective calls for urgent and critical reflection on these pressing issues.
“I am not alone,” she added, sharing a similar graphic touted by another user
5 stories of people denied life-saving care by UnitedHealthcare
UHC denied coverage for a necessary treatment without any apparent reason.
A woman’s mother was forced to suffer because of a denied claim
A patient was denied coverage for an ICU stay
A mom’s child was denied coverage for an EpiPen
A woman’s mother was denied dialysis
Will any good will come from this tragedy?
Perhaps Thompson’s untimely death highlights the urgent need to address critical issues within our healthcare system. That stated, murder still isn’t the answer and the killer should not be viewed as the folk hero some are portraying him.