By Robert Dean
Deny. Delay. Depose. That’s what was written on the bullet casings that killed United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. No one gasped. There is no outrage, and there is no manhunt.
You probably said, “this is when gun rights make sense” under your breath, having experienced firsthand the cruelties of living in a country with a healthcare system so broken it breeds street justice. United Healthcare raked in a staggering $22.4 billion in profits last year while denying over 44.7 million claims for reasons like “lack of pre-authorization,” “incorrect documentation,” or services “not medically necessary.” That figure doesn’t include the 45,000 people who also died because they couldn’t afford health insurance. A cancer diagnosis or high blood pressure shouldn’t bankroll a CEO’s nine-million-dollar paycheck just to appease investment ghouls. I have insurance and still can’t afford to buy new glasses or get a broken tooth fixed, but hey, at least I got an email today telling me that if I take a daily walk, I’ll lower my chance of heart disease.
The internet didn’t mourn Thompson’s assassination; it rejoiced with celebratory memes instead of fist-shaking outrage. Do you think those New York cops are pounding the pavement for a guy more likely to be seen as a hero by many who watched their parents waste away from illnesses insurance refused to cover? Doubtful. Sure, they might find him, but this won’t be the case of anyone’s career. (Fun fact: that $22.4 billion? It wouldn’t even cost half of that to end world hunger.)
Thompson catching a bullet is a reflection of American life: people are fed up with the status quo. Trump didn’t win because he’s a passionate reflection of the American people. He’s a guy who craps in a golden toilet and refers to people as “the help.” Trump won because the majority of the population is exhausted with politicians who think Beyoncé and her backup dancers represent their best interests while most Americans can’t afford rent. That’s why the left failed miserably this election. Outside of his cult, people don’t love Trump; they hate feeling disillusioned every time they take a breath.
They see an outsider (who was fundamentally a terrible president) as an outlier to disrupt a stagnant system. How most people don’t understand how a tariff works against their own self-interests is perplexing, but I digress – this isn’t about him. It’s about greed.
Should CEOs be scared? Ideally, yes. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield just announced a new policy set to take effect in February 2025, which imposes arbitrary time limits on the coverage of anesthesia services. The company claims the change is aimed at reducing costs and preventing overbilling. Yet the American Society of Anesthesiologists has expressed concerns, arguing these time caps will jeopardize patient care. This policy prioritizes profits over lives, burdening patients with unexpected out-of-pocket costs and discouraging necessary medical procedures.
What kind of Draconian nonsense is this?
Between in-network, out-of-pocket, out-of-network, PPO, HMO, gold and silver plans, and deductibles, it’s clear the American healthcare system is an elaborate scam. Ask any nurse or doctor you know how they’re feeling, how they handle their workload and mental health, and most will tell you, “not great.” Every hospital in America is grappling with a staffing crisis, and no one but the system is to blame.
The insurance game is a racket – a mechanism to abandon us and keep us sick.
Thompson’s death is more than a headline; it’s a sign. Americans are done tolerating a system that treats cancer patients like credit scores. They’re sick of CEOs who transform healthcare into hedge funds. Justice caught up to one CEO in the streets.
When will justice catch up to the system? Oh, wait. There is always a buck to be made. So probably never. Hopelessness sucks. There is always a new suited vampire who doesn’t care if your grandma lives or dies. They care about a summer house. And they wonder what the working class thinks of the elites.
(Editor’s Note: The original police report stated the bullet casings had, “Deny, Defend, Depose” written on them. That’s since been updated to indicate it was “Delay” instead of “Defend.” The opinions of contributors are not necessarily those of the Carter County Times or its staff members.)
