The shocking and targeted killing of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, outside a hotel in New York this week has sent shockwaves across America. The crime has also highlighted a growing anger towards the trillion-dollar health insurance industry.
While the term “prior authorization” may not seem particularly evocative, it has recently sparked significant protest. In July, over 100 people gathered outside UnitedHealthcare’s Minnesota headquarters to voice their concerns about the company’s policies and the denial of patient claims.
“Prior authorization” is a process that allows insurance companies to review suggested treatments before agreeing to cover their costs. During the protest, eleven individuals were arrested for blocking a road.
Police records show that attendees came from various states, including Maine, New York, Texas, and West Virginia, to participate in the rally organized by the People’s Action Institute. Unai Montes-Irueste, the media strategy director of the Chicago-based advocacy group, noted that many protesters had personal experiences with denied claims and other issues plaguing the healthcare system.
Many Americans have felt a growing anger towards the healthcare system, characterized by a complex network of providers, for-profit and non-profit companies, insurance giants, and government programs. This frustration erupted following the apparent targeted killing of Thompson in New York City on Wednesday.
Thompson was the CEO of United Healthcare, which is the insurance unit of United Health Group, the largest insurer in the United States.
Authorities are actively searching for the suspected killer, whose motives remain unclear. However, messages found on shell casings at the crime scene have caught investigators’ attention. The words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” were written on the casings, leading investigators to believe these terms could reference tactics that critics claim insurance companies use to avoid payouts and boost profits.
