NEW YORK, USA – In the aftermath of the high-profile killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a wave of online reactions, merchandise, and public sympathies has sparked controversy, reflecting widespread frustration with the health insurance industry.
Merchandise and Sympathies Online
The words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” found printed on shell casings near the crime scene, have appeared on merchandise sold on platforms like Amazon and eBay.
The phrase is believed to be linked to the 2010 book Delay, Deny, Defend, which critiques health insurers’ practices.
Amazon has since removed the items, including T-shirts, hats, and pint glasses, citing violations of company policies.
However, similar merchandise remains available on eBay, where the platform stated that while the phrase itself does not breach its rules, items celebrating or glorifying violence are strictly prohibited.
This incident has highlighted growing discontent with the health insurance system.
A 2023 KFF survey revealed that most insured U.S. adults encountered issues with claims denials or other problems within a year, contributing to public frustrations and online sympathy for the suspect.
Sympathy for the Suspect
Police arrested Luigi Mangione, the suspect in Thompson’s murder, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday.
A McDonald’s employee recognised him and alerted authorities, leading to Mangione’s capture.
Since the arrest, the Altoona McDonald’s location has been flooded with negative reviews on platforms like Google and Yelp, accusing employees of being “rats” and “snitches.”
One now-deleted Google review read: “The location has rats in the kitchen that will make you sick and your insurance isn’t going to cover it.”
Both Google and Yelp have acted to remove inappropriate reviews and disable further commenting on the restaurant’s pages.
Yelp added a pop-up disclaimer to the location’s profile, stating that it is investigating whether the comments reflect genuine customer experiences.
GoFundMe Campaigns Removed
Fundraisers on GoFundMe aimed at supporting Mangione’s legal defence were also quickly taken down.
A spokesperson for the platform confirmed that fundraisers for the legal defence of violent crimes are prohibited, and all donations have been refunded.
Mixed Public Reactions
The killing has elicited polarising reactions online.
A Facebook post by UnitedHealth Group mourning Thompson’s death received 62,000 reactions — 57,000 of which were laughing emojis.
Kaye Pestaina, director of the Program on Patient and Consumer Protections at KFF, explained the public sentiment: “Limitations on access to care due to claims denials have absolutely been a source of frustration for a long time.”
Broader Implications
The killing has exposed deep-seated anger toward corporate practices in the health insurance industry.
Mangione, who police say was found with a handwritten note expressing “ill will toward corporate America,” has become a divisive figure.
Critics condemn his actions, while others view him as a symbol of resistance against perceived systemic injustices.
As investigations continue, platforms and corporations grapple with balancing free expression, corporate accountability, and preventing the glorification of violence.
The case underscores the societal tensions surrounding healthcare access and the public’s growing frustration with the status quo.
