Now that the dust from the sensational United HealthCare CEO murder has settled, it’s time to reflect on the larger significance of these events. To be clear, there is no justification or moral support for what the assassin did. Legitimate social protest must never involve physical violence.
That said, the intensity of the “volcanic” reaction to Thompson’s death exposes the anger many feel toward private health insurance. This public outcry is pervasive and thus needs serious consideration.
The Cause of the Anger and Frustration — Insurance Greed
Some were shocked by both the lack of sympathy expressed for the fallen CEO and the outright hostility toward UHC. Understanding the Psychology of Anger : Seeing the Panic behind the Rage | Pastoral Counseling Syracuse NY Nonetheless, the violence of the crime must not distract us from a careful examination of the underlying problem of private, for-profit health insurance.
As one who has accepted private insurance for my counseling services for almost 20 years, I am very familiar with client frustration with denials and delays. In addition, ever-increasing premiums and deductibles, which can reach as high as $16,000 per year, result in the subscriber not having insurance coverage. Many subscribers are paying more and getting less. Indeed, my practice has often found dealing with insurance practices exasperating.
The anger that people feel is legitimate. Acts of violence are not. People turn to violence in separation. When out of despair and a sense of powerlessness, the violence erupts when a sense of hope is gone.
Insurance Company Intransigency
One would like to think that insurance companies would learn a lesson from the shooting. Sadly, there, the response was not to review unfair practices but to remove private information about their executives and increase security measures.
It is striking to note the tone and message of a leaked video sent by a healthcare insurance company CEO immediately following the shooting. In it he reassured employees that he would still prevent “unnecessary care.” And just who decides what care is unnecessary?
It is clear that health insurance companies’ top concern is their financial bottom line, not the welfare of their subscribers. Even after this attack, insurance executives don’t get it. Change will not come from within the industry.
We are the Key to Achieving Universal Health Care
The time has come to prioritize health care and push back against companies that put greed ahead of patient care. Indeed, the public anger against insurance companies is real and will not go away. The complaints of consumers are legitimate.
Ultimately, the fundamental issue here is moral. Should health care insurance be a for-profit industry? It isn’t in most industrialized countries. They have switched to a universal health insurance system. And, while not perfect, universal health insurance plans provide coverage for many more people than private pay systems do.
Instead of murderous rage, the frustrated energy caused by insurance companies’ outrageous delay and denial tactics must be re-directed into constructive efforts for change. Disgruntled Americans must learn to channel their grievances effectively through our political system. We, the subscribers, must push to change the private profit industry into a universal healthcare system.
Universal Healthcare is Workable
My concern is that the pro-business administration is incoming, and there are plans to cut back, not expand, federally funded health care coverage. If universal health care is to be achieved, people must speak out and vote for change.
A Hopeful Perspective
While the task is formidable, it is not impossible; folk who desire change are not a small minority. Despite partisan claims otherwise, the president-elect did not win by a landslide and does not have a mandate to tear down the federal government. In fact, a majority of the American people did not vote for him.
Despite the disappointment many feel over the recent election, there is hope for a better future. But it will take hard work and effort. Working together, it is still possible to achieve the necessary changes that will make America a more just, compassionate, and healthcare-secure country.
Rev, Michael Heath, LMHC, Fellow AAPC December 17, 2024