this post was submitted on 06 Dec 2024
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Summary

The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has ignited outrage over the state of U.S. healthcare.

While his murder shocked many, online reactions highlighted public frustration with private insurers, citing denied care, high costs, and systemic bureaucracy.

UnitedHealthcare, a major industry player, has faced scrutiny for practices perceived as prioritizing profit over patients.

The attack, which appears premeditated, underscores rising tensions around healthcare inequality.

Experts see this as part of a broader trend toward violence over societal disputes, reflecting deep dissatisfaction with the American healthcare system.

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[–] ininewcrow@lemmy.ca 122 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

lol .... Private health care sends thousands or even millions to an early death and no one says anything or cares for a moment

One CEO gets killed and now we start asking questions about the state of private health care

[–] Kolanaki@yiffit.net 45 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

This situation is proving at least some of a joke I heard somewhere once:

"If you took all the top CEOs of all the biggest corporations and gave them cancer, we would have 37 different cures in a month, tops."

[–] whostosay@lemmy.world 23 points 3 weeks ago

They would have*

We don't get shit.

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[–] Drusas@fedia.io 84 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Experts see this as part of a broader trend toward violence over societal disputes, reflecting ~~deep dissatisfaction with~~ anger at the blatant corruption of the American healthcare system.

FTFY

[–] Drusas@fedia.io 106 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

That belies the shock also generated by the brutality of Thompson’s death.

It wasn't brutal. He died with no fear and very quickly. That's a lot better than many of the patients his company denied coverage for can say.

[–] IDKWhatUsernametoPutHereLolol@lemmy.dbzer0.com 33 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

The news anchors / article writer had to say that because otherwise they get fired.

[–] peopleproblems@lemmy.world 25 points 3 weeks ago

And, by nature of the corrupt system, lose their health insurance

[–] Anamnesis@lemmy.world 21 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

People aren't shocked by his death. We're at the very least unsympathetic. And many of us are positively giddy.

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[–] Lennnny@lemmy.world 68 points 3 weeks ago

Wait, let's see... I have to spend hundreds of dollars a month so when I get sick or injured, I have to pay hundreds of dollars upfront to meet a requirement to still pay a large portion of the bill. All so some mediocre guy with excessive wealth can buy another yacht. My health is a commodity to them. And I'm supposed to give ANY fucks when it all goes wrong for them? Did that dude spare even a moment to think about the people choosing a slow agonizing death to spare their family a life of medical debt? This man ran a racket that paid for his vacations with people's lives, and now it's come back to bite him (to death). I ain't mad.

[–] TheDemonBuer@lemmy.world 56 points 3 weeks ago

UnitedHealthcare, a major industry player, has faced scrutiny for practices perceived as prioritizing profit over patients.

Perceived? Of course they prioritize profit over patients. They, along with every other capitalist firm, must prioritize profit over every other consideration. Everything is secondary to maximum, ever increasing profits.

[–] jagged_circle@feddit.nl 52 points 3 weeks ago

Disgusting narrative. The violence in this story was mostly committed by the CEO. Its his violence that we must be talking about

[–] Supervisor194@lemmy.world 44 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

While his murder shocked many

His murder shocked literally nobody.

[–] RobotToaster@mander.xyz 39 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

The shocking thing is it doesn't happen more often tbh.

[–] zephorah@lemm.ee 18 points 3 weeks ago

It’s like that scene in Fight Club that discusses the homework of starting a fight. It’s difficult because the majority of people, are not wired that way. And that is a good thing.

[–] jaybone@lemmy.world 16 points 3 weeks ago

Maybe the would-be school shooters will see this response online and find a healthier outlet for their angst.

[–] Mannimarco@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It shocked people like him

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[–] Drusas@fedia.io 39 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

Maybe you shouldn't have an accountant in charge of a "healthcare" company.

I'm sorry for the multiple comments. I have a lot of background and trauma related to dealing with health insurance companies. They are parasites sucking out the blood of those who can least afford it and ruining their lives when they can't pay the bills left over after they deny claims.

[–] SapphironZA@sh.itjust.works 22 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Healthcare companies should only be allowed to operate under non-profit rules.

There should be no incentive for profit on people's health.

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[–] Benjaben@lemmy.world 12 points 3 weeks ago

And the thing is, the "trade" they inflict is just so amazingly unreasonable. The incredible misery they cause, replicated over so many people, and for truly no greater purpose than keeping up with the perverse status symbol competition amongst their hideous peers. Absolutely wild, unhinged, clearly malignant behavior.

[–] SattaRIP@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 3 weeks ago

Parasites at least play an important role in their ecosystems. I have no (or too many) words to describe my hatred for people like this that commit social murder all the time.

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[–] Aceticon@lemmy.world 33 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Curiously, successive governments in the UK (where The Guardian is based) have been slowly destroying the National Health Service.

[–] sik0fewl@lemmy.ca 17 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

The same thing has been happening in some Canadian provinces where there are conservative governments.

[–] LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (4 children)

Isn't it ironic to call them conservative as they are trying to up-end the status quo?

Comically enough, it is they who are trying to force through more liberal laws for companies which will ultimately cost the common person more.

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[–] Itdidnttrickledown@lemmy.world 27 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

Its not the health care that is at fault. Its the useless insurance companies that degrade it. The practicing medical professionals are as a rule competent and engaged in their profession. The problems starts at the admin level of any medical organization and just get more inefficient the lower it goes in the chain.

[–] Phoenicianpirate@lemm.ee 11 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It is actually just incredible just how medical insurance companies aren't considered legally frauds.

[–] stringere@sh.itjust.works 5 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

It is actually just incredible just how ~~medical~~ for profit insurance companies aren’t considered legally frauds.

[–] EvilZ@thelemmy.club 5 points 3 weeks ago

... I would honestly say that it's the whole system that is to be changed...

America's pay the higher fees in terms of health care for one of the lowest amount of services....

As George Carlin said about elites, view the link from YouTube for more info : https://m.youtube.com/shorts/Pmo_zA8UAEA

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[–] Realitaetsverlust 27 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Experts see this as part of a broader trend toward violence over societal disputes

If you take away everything, at some point, people have nothing to lose

[–] interrobang@lemmy.blahaj.zone 14 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

So far, i cant afford a house or a family. If i lost my partner, my only stability, to a treatable illness..

I wonder how many people in this country feel just like me

[–] BuckWylde@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago

I'm guessing a lot of them.

[–] circuitfarmer@lemmy.sdf.org 23 points 3 weeks ago

There is no other way this ends. The corpos are so moneyblind that they don't see it.

[–] Echostorm@programming.dev 22 points 3 weeks ago

Sympathy out of network

[–] zephorah@lemm.ee 22 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

From FDR to ~1981 we invested in the creation of a middle class. Oh yes, the middle class was created by government subsidy. The 1950s was unique because the prosperous creation blasted into the American scene for the first time. It evolved from there, in part, because it was also being built on the backs of women being crushed into singular stifling roles. Go ahead, ask your boomer mom about her mom, how happy and sane and unmedicated she was. Outliers exist. But that piece is for another thread.

Subsidizing middle class began to be peeled away ~1981. Basically, the theory was, investing in the investors and corporate is simply more efficient, financially, and will trickle down to the rest of society. We’ve all felt the long term impact of that experiment and it’s not making anyone working class very happy.

2021, yea GramPOTUS started to peel back up pre1981. Have we felt it? Teamsters maybe in knowing they still have a retirement, but the truth of it is, breaking shit has lasting impact and turning it around will not be felt for a while.

I highly doubt 2025 will subsidize the middle class and try to get us back to pre-1981. But we will see.

My point is, this financial squeeze is the culmination of 40yrs of government policy. Bezos gets a penis rocket, we get lack of homes, healthcare debt, the inability to raise children due to costs, and a wonderful feeling of anxiety and anger.

Either way. 1950s or the present crushing situation: government created.

[–] D1G17AL@lemmy.world 12 points 3 weeks ago

They shouldn't be surprised at the reaction when they are actively doing this to THE WORLDS MOST WELL-ARMED POPULATION. What the fuck did they think would happen?

[–] theangryseal@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago

That thing about asking my mom about her mom. She wouldn’t be able to tell me much. My aunts and uncle are boomers, my mom is gen x. She was born 10 years after her youngest sibling so obviously a total accident.

Her mom shot herself when my mom was only 4 years old. So, yeah. You got it right.

[–] spujb@lemmy.cafe 21 points 3 weeks ago

I like this headline because for once the “sparks outrage” cliche has some real meaning to it.

People have been mad about healthcare for ages. But it hasn’t lit up, it’s just sort of passively lingering like a gas leak. All it took was one snap to light the flames.

Anyway, I don’t condone violence but this shouldn’t come as a surprise. The rotten egg smell is everywhere and we’ve tried calling the gas department for decades and no one has come to help. If there are further victims of violence, the majority of the blood will be on the hands of the oppressive class who failed to protect themselves by treating their subordinates as human.

Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable. -JF damn K

[–] Zachariah@lemmy.world 11 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (32 children)

Option 1: Vote for Democrats / vote for a woman for president to get incremental improvements to healthcare and society.
Americans: yawn

Option 2: Start murdering the powerful capitalist oligarchs which will lead to zero improvements in healthcare and society but fuels fantasies of revenge and temporarily feels good.
Americans: “Yay!”

Edit: I’m not even saying we need to pick just one option. But shouldn’t Option 1 also be “yay” if Option 2 is? Why limit how pressure is applied to just picking the violent option? It’s weird how even marches and unions get a lukewarm response compared to vigilantism.

And these replies I’m getting are interesting. I didn’t expect so many attempts to justify that only a violent option ever would do any good. Let’s say that violence is the most effective option. Does that really mean we don’t try any other options? If I was this inflexible in my day-to-day life, I’d never get anything done.

[–] niktemadur@lemmy.world 13 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

It's like Richard Pryor said about crack:

Old white women see addicted kids in the ghetto and shrug "Well isn't that terrible?"
Then crack arrives at their suburbs and they're "OH MY GOD IT'S AN EPIDEMIC!"

[–] Olgratin_Magmatoe@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (4 children)

Start murdering the powerful capitalist oligarchs which will lead to zero improvements in healthcare and society

That implies a trend instead of a one off like this. A trend would absolutely ultimately lead to improvements. The oligarchy that rules us isn't listening to polite letters and protests asking them to change.

But if they discover that their actions lead to great personal risk, they'll quickly change their actions to avoid the risk. That means lower (fair) pay for the CEOs/stockholders. That means an end to the scamming they do through insurance. That means an end to price gouging in the grocery store.

The reason everything is shit (aside from the destruction of the middle class and housing crisis, which is itself caused by the oligarchy), is that the oligarchy is brazen and unafraid of risk in their wealth extraction.

Does that really mean we don’t try any other options?

That's what we've been doing for the last two decades, and it's got us basically nowhere.

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[–] atro_city@fedia.io 6 points 3 weeks ago

I didn’t expect so many attempts to justify that only a violent option ever would do any good

USAmericans love violence. Look at their media, it's full of it. They'd rather see a gun advert or a story of some school children getting shot than a naked boob.

[–] RobotToaster@mander.xyz 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

What improvements did Democrats make in the past 4 years?

The last time a president made marginal improvements they introduced term limits to stop it happening again.

[–] Zachariah@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago (5 children)

You couldn’t find anything?

  • all-time low for uninsured
  • unemployment has held below 4% for the longest stretch since the 1960s
  • income increases began to outpace price increases
  • cost of living is returning to its pre-pandemic level this year
  • energy transition spending was $303 billion last year, a record and two-thirds higher than before Biden
  • rise in real wages for lower-income workers lowers inequality
  • violent crime is down
  • $1.2 trillion infrastructure package to increase investment in the national network of bridges and roads, airports, public transport and national broadband internet, as well as waterways and energy systems
  • signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that created enhanced background checks, closed the “boyfriend” loophole and provided funds for youth mental health
  • $369 billion investment in climate change, the largest in American history, through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
  • college debt relief to Americans with loans who make under $125,000 a year
  • cut child poverty in half through the American Rescue Plan
  • capped prescription drug prices at $2,000 per year for seniors on Medicare through the Inflation Reduction Act
  • imposed a 15% minimum corporate tax on some of the largest corporations in the country, ensuring that they pay their fair share, as part of the Inflation Reduction Act
  • rejoined the Paris Agreement
  • gave Medicare the power to negotiate prescription drug prices through the Inflation Reduction Act while also reducing government health spending
  • reduced healthcare premiums under the Affordable Care Act by $800 a year
  • signed the PACT Act to address service members’ exposure to burn pits and other toxins
  • reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act through 2027
  • halted all federal executions after the previous administration reinstated them after a 17-year freeze
  • signed the Respect for Marriage Act, requiring the U.S. federal government and all U.S. states and territories (though not tribes) to recognize the validity of same-sex and interracial civil marriages in the United States
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[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago

Outrage? Bruh its sparking blackfriday sales on https://www.omahaoutdoors.com/

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