NEW YORK — The killing of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, in midtown Manhattan has drawn a wave of attention not only for its brutality but also for the anger it has unleashed towards the U.S. healthcare system.
The early morning shooting last Wednesday has reignited public frustration over the complex and often opaque health insurance industry, where denied claims and bureaucratic delays frequently leave patients feeling powerless.
Thompson, 48, was shot outside a luxury hotel, with shell casings at the scene bearing the words “depose” and “delay.”
Investigators are exploring whether the inscriptions allude to tactics employed by insurance companies that critics argue prioritise profits over patient care.
Motive Under Investigation
While New York police continue to search for the suspect, Thompson’s widow, Paulette, revealed her husband had received threats related to insurance coverage decisions.
“There had been some threats … a lack of coverage? I don’t know the details,” she told NBC.
Law enforcement sources confirmed a history of threats against UnitedHealth Group, though Thompson’s name was not specifically mentioned.
The shooting has highlighted the risks facing high-profile executives in an industry where financial decisions about healthcare coverage can have life-or-death consequences.
Public Anger and Social Media Backlash
The killing has unleashed a torrent of online responses, with many using the tragedy as a platform to air grievances about health insurers.
A Facebook post by UnitedHealth Group expressing condolences for Thompson’s death received over 62,000 reactions—57,000 of them laughing emojis.
“UnitedHealthcare denied my surgery two days before it was scheduled,” one X user wrote in a post that garnered 70,000 likes.
“My surgeon spent a day and a half pleading my case when she should have been caring for her other patients. The process was torture.”
Another user described being denied surgery for breast cancer: “She asked me, ‘Well, is it an emergency?’ It’s (expletive) cancer. What do you think?”
A Broken System
These stories reflect widespread dissatisfaction with the healthcare system.
According to a 2023 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), nearly one in five insured adults experienced claim denials in the past year.
Those with private insurance were twice as likely to encounter denials compared to those on government-funded plans like Medicare or Medicaid.
Sara Collins, a senior scholar at The Commonwealth Fund, called the denial process both “terribly upsetting” and “frightening,” particularly for patients facing critical illnesses such as cancer.
“Getting a denial or delay while your insurer decides whether to cover recommended care can be devastating for families,” Collins said.
Even when patients appeal denials, the process is often confusing and inaccessible.
A Commonwealth Fund survey found that 45% of respondents were unsure if they could appeal, and nearly a quarter said they lacked the time to navigate the process.
However, for those who do appeal, 50% ultimately have their care approved.
Artificial Intelligence and Automation
Criticism has also grown over the use of artificial intelligence in claim denials.
A class-action lawsuit filed against UnitedHealthcare last year accused the company of using AI to wrongfully deny care for elderly patients, with more than 90% of those denials reversed upon appeal.
The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations reported in October that UnitedHealthcare more than doubled its denial rate for post-hospitalisation care for Medicare Advantage enrollees between 2020 and 2022.
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal described the practice as “denying care to vulnerable seniors simply to make more money.”
Industry Defends Practices
In response to the backlash, Mike Tuffin, CEO of the insurance trade association AHIP, condemned threats against industry professionals.
“The people in our industry are mission-driven professionals working to make coverage and care as affordable as possible,” he said in a statement.
UnitedHealthcare, the largest insurer in the U.S., has expressed its commitment to assisting Thompson’s family and ensuring employee safety.
In a statement, the company reaffirmed its role in supporting healthcare access: “We, at UnitedHealth Group, will continue to be there for those who depend upon us for their healthcare.”
A System Under Pressure
The killing of Brian Thompson has underscored the emotional and financial toll of the American healthcare system.
Patients facing denied claims, delays, and financial ruin are increasingly vocal about their frustrations, and the industry’s reliance on AI and profit-driven decision-making has fuelled public distrust.
As investigations into Thompson’s murder continue, the tragedy has become a flashpoint for the broader debate over the priorities of health insurers and the reforms needed to address the nation’s healthcare challenges.
