On December 4, 2024, a shocking event captured the nation's attention: the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, was murdered in Manhattan.

Yet, the public's reaction was unsettlingly numb, with many cracking jokes about his death.

Instead, the spotlight shone on the suspected murderer, Luigi Mangione, who was elevated to a hero status across the internet, celebrated through countless memes and viral content.

How does the public's reaction to this murder reflect deeper issues within the American healthcare system, particularly in the insurance sector dominated by giants like UnitedHealthcare?

Health insurance companies, like UnitedHealth Group, often profit by denying services they promise to provide. From 2011 to 2022, their revenues skyrocketed, significantly outpacing the healthcare costs paid by individuals. This reveals a stark contrast between the industry's profit motives and the financial burdens placed on consumers. Given this, it's worth questioning why any sympathy should be extended to a CEO who profits from what many see as exploitation of those they should be supporting.

Exploring the Discontent: Revenue vs. Healthcare Costs

Private Health Insurance Revenue Over Time in Billions

Total U.S. Healthcare Spending Per Person Over Time

The Burden of Medical Debt

USA Median Medical Debt in 2011 is $830

Diving deeper, the situation is exacerbated by the overwhelming medical debt that plagues many Americans. Our visualizations depict how different states fare in terms of median medical debt. The median began to slowly decrease after 2014 when the Affordable Care Act was expanded in all but 10 states. Despite some decreases following healthcare reforms, the persistent high levels of debt on top of annual healthcare cost of $ 13,493 per person as shown in bar chart above underline a systemic failure to protect the most vulnerable.

With healthcare cost and medical debt increasing, how is the quality of healthcare in United States?

Moreover, despite the United States outspending other developed nations on healthcare, our comparative analysis reveals a grim picture: the U.S. leads in avoidable deaths per 100,000 people. This stark reality illuminates a significant disconnect; higher spending does not equate to better healthcare outcomes. Instead, it often translates into higher profits for insurance companies at the expense of patient care.

Comparison of Quality of Healthcare Factors Among Countries

Percent of GDP Spent on Healthcare

Avoidable Deaths per 100,000 people

US
UK
GER
FRA
JPN
KOR
NZ
SWE
CAN
AUS

Exploring Denied Claims: Who benefited the most from them in 2023?

Following the scrutiny of healthcare quality, another critical issue emerges: the alarming rate of denied claims by insurance companies. Let's delve into the denial patterns among leading insurers, exploring how such practices boost their profits at the expense of consumers. We aim to expose the struggles of policyholders who frequently have to fight for the coverage they paid for and deserve. This ongoing battle not only exacerbates financial burdens but also deepens the public's mistrust and resentment towards these powerful healthcare entities.

Kaiser Permanente?

Industry average denials.

Aetna?

Wow, that's a lot of claims denied.

Anthem?

Even more than Aetna, yikes

Medica?

So many claims denied, and for what? The profit isn't even as high as the first 3.

UnitedHealth Group?

32% of claims denied??? 371 Billion in profit??? I wonder if this is why people are so numbed by their CEO dying.

Let's uncover the hidden practices of UnitedHealth Group!

Was all the money earned ethically or did come at the cost of denying essential healthcare services to those in need?

2023 UnitedHealth Group Misconduct Healthopoly

Roll Dice

Understanding Public Sentiment: Tap on a person to discover their Healthcare Access story!

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By connecting these dots, it becomes clearer why an act of violence against a figurehead of the health insurance industry could be seen as an act of heroism against a perceived villainy. This story is not just about a single event or individual but reflects a broader societal struggle with a healthcare system that often prioritizes profit over people.