On Dec. 4, Americans woke up to a shocking headline: UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson had been assassinated on the streets of Manhattan en route to a year-end investors’ meeting, gunned down by a masked shooter. The murder of such a prominent corporate leader should have been met with an outpouring of sympathy for his family, right? Outrage over such a brazen act?
Surprisingly, no. Instead, the reaction from the public has been something entirely different, something darker.
Instead of mourning Thompson’s death and reflecting on his legacy as a father, a friend, and a top executive, the conversation turned in an unsettling direction: Many people are cheering. Online comments liken the alleged killer, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, to a modern-day Robin Hood. Some even brand him a hero for the American people.
“John Wick had to make things right,” one person commented on Instagram. Another commented, “Looks like his life was denied, and sympathy is out of network” — a chilling mockery of UnitedHealthcare’s reputation for denying claims.
This outpouring of twisted support for an alleged killer reflects something much deeper than just anger over one man’s death — it’s a symptom of a severely broken system. Americans are fed up with the state of healthcare. They’re tired of being denied life-saving treatments, leaving loved ones to suffer. While no rational person condones murder, this tragedy has put an intense spotlight on the frustrations many Americans have with a healthcare industry that seems to prioritize profit over people.
UnitedHealthcare, under Thompson’s leadership, has been scrutinized for denying a staggering 35% of claims. Many feel that, in death, Thompson has come to represent everything that is wrong with the American healthcare system: corporate greed, callous decision-making, and indifference to human suffering.
But should this rage be directed at a single individual, or should it be focused on the system that allows and even motivates denials in the first place — and is there an alternative?
It’s worth it to explore alternatives to our current healthcare system. Socialized medicine, for example, is hailed as the solution by many who are fed up with privatized healthcare. In countries like Japan, Canada, and Israel, where healthcare is guaranteed for all, profit is removed from the equation. Patients don’t have to worry about insurance companies denying their treatments because it’s all covered by the government. These countries rank higher in healthcare quality, although critics often point to the longer wait times for care, especially during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, when Canadian citizens had to come to the U.S. for vaccines due to shortages in their own country.
Introducing socialized medicine in the U.S. would come with a significant financial burden. A 2023 Gallup poll showed that while 57% of Americans believe the government should provide healthcare for everyone, the question remains: Are they ready for the cost? Estimates suggest it would take a staggering $37.8 trillion and a 20% tax hike to fund such a system. Are Americans truly prepared to pay that price, or would they prefer more modest reforms to the current system, such as holding insurers accountable?
The biggest barrier to socialized medicine is cost — both in terms of increased taxes for citizens and rising insurance premiums, as companies struggle to keep up with medical expenses. A more practical solution could be a government-run option for individuals with greater healthcare needs, which would ease the financial burden on the general public by reducing monthly premiums. This approach could stabilize the system without the enormous $37.8 trillion price tag. In fact, in 2010, former President Barack Obama proposed a government-run option to compete with private insurers, particularly in rural areas where competition is limited. This strategy would also address the concerns of the 71% of Americans who, according to Gallup, are satisfied with their current private insurance.
Since Thompson’s assassination, the insurance industry has gone into damage control. Anthem Health reversed its controversial decision to limit coverage for anesthesia after public backlash, while other companies have quietly relaxed pre-authorization denials. The tragedy has, in a way, forced the industry to confront its worst tendencies. But will this be enough to quell the public’s anger?
Criminal defense experts are already predicting the shooter’s defense will center on what they call “front-loaded mitigation.” As mitigation expert Victoria Rusk explained, “The accused person is possibly living out the story of many Americans who do not have access to healthcare.” The public, so fed up with corporate healthcare greed, may already see him as a voice for their frustrations.
After the shooting, police found a backpack in Central Park containing Monopoly money and three bullets labeled “deposed,” “defend,” and “deny.” These clues seem to underscore the point that the alleged killer, like many Americans, views the healthcare system as a game rigged against the sick and the poor.
Ultimately, this is not just a story about the horrific murder of a CEO. It’s tragically symptomatic of a healthcare system in crisis. Our government, legislators, insurers, brokers, and healthcare providers must work together to enact policy changes that truly work for the American people and the most vulnerable among us.
Melissa D. Hall is a Medicare expert and the founder and CEO of the Hall Insurance Group, a firm dedicated to helping seniors navigate their Medicare options. Since 2017, Hall and her team have served more than 3,000 seniors by providing personalized Medicare plans tailored to their individual needs.