On Dec. 4, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare was shot and killed in broad daylight on the streets of New York City. The media’s response, however, has been a mix of sentiments.
The three separate bullets that killed him each had separate messages of “deny, defend, depose” etched onto them. These words served as a play on the similar phrase “delay, deny, defend” which is a common tactic used by insurers to deny services and payments.
The new phrase highlights a growing American sentiment: anger toward insurance companies. “A lot of people online are frustrated with the current healthcare system because of its denial of coverage services,” said junior Ayesha Kumar.
After the news of the CEO’s passing came to light, social media users rallied together to celebrate the news. Users took to online platforms to express their anger towards UnitedHealthcare and insurance agencies as a whole. UnitedHealthcare denies 32-33% of all care requested by a doctor, over double the typical denial rate across insurance providers. The sentiment presented online is merely a response to the practices of the company.
Furthermore, the online reaction to the passing also emphasizes a broader problem in the nation: the American healthcare system. “From what I’ve been seeing from social media, is that the majority of people, no matter their views on the political spectrum, believe that the healthcare system is corrupt,” said junior Shalini Chandupatla.
The U.S.’ system is completely privatized. In order to receive proper care, patients have to rely on insurance companies to provide financial aid. Without aid, they will have to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket. If insurance companies deny aid, American patients lose access to a network of healthcare.
The common hatred against the industry shifted toward the current suspect behind the murder. Luigi Mangione, the suspect, was detained on Dec. 11, and the media’s response included rallying support. Support included fanfictions, edits and fan pages over various social media platforms.
Many users took to the internet to express their views, with users expressing that the man should be freed regardless of the crime that was committed. “A large portion of the media has been supporting Luigi, as far as even making fan pages and edits of him. His edits plus fanpages strike resemble edits made for celebrities” stated Kumar.
The support surrounding Mangione largely resembles the American people choosing between the lesser of two evils. Citizens are largely frustrated with the lack of insurance coverage and took to online support of Mangione to express their views.
The rallying support behind both a murder suspect calls attention to the greater issue in American society: profiteering insurance companies.
