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UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Murder: Many vented their anger over denied claims and high medical costs, making it hard for them to sympathise. Others expressed that mocking someone’s death goes too far.
The 50-year-old CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, was shot dead in New York. (Photo Credits: X)
Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was gunned down outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel in what police described as a “premeditated” and “targetted” attack. The tragic incident happened outside the Hilton hotel ahead of an investor conference. The videos from the scene showed the assailant waiting for the CEO. He approached Thompson from behind, shot him in the chest, and then fired more rounds after he collapsed. Police have since launched a search for the suspect.
While the news of his death sent shockwaves across the world, reactions on social media showed a mix of frustration and dark humour directed at the health insurance company he represented. Many vented their anger over denied claims and high medical costs, making it hard for them to sympathise. Others said that while the health insurance system is deeply flawed in the US, mocking someone’s death goes too far.
“Saw mainstream news coverage about the killing of the CEO of United Healthcare on TikTok and I think political and industry leaders might want to read the comments and think hard about them,” wrote political activist Tobita Chow while sharing screenshots of the cold reactions to Thompson’s death.
Saw mainstream news coverage about the killing of the CEO of United Healthcare on TikTok and I think political and industry leaders might want to read the comments and think hard about them pic.twitter.com/RuBii9KFH4— Tobita Chow (@tobitac) December 4, 2024
A comment, as per the screenshot, read, “Sending prior authorisation, denied claims, collections & prayers to his family.”
Another joined him and wrote, “I’m sorry. Prior authorisation is required for thoughts and prayers.”
“It’s crazy what my first thought was and then I look at the comments and realise I’m not alone in my thoughts,” expressed a third.
One social media user recalled a painful incident when her husband had a heart attack and UnitedHealthcare denied coverage saying it wasn’t a true emergency. “Was his trip to the ER really emergent? According to his own company, my husband’s heart attack wasn’t an actual emergency and we were out 3k (full deductible),” said a fourth.
A fifth posted, “I can’t even pretend to care. I hope he’s looking up at us.”
“I just can’t find the care. Maybe if they ask for preapproval of my care. Then after they care their required deductible, I might be able to supplement some care,” wrote a sixth with a dash of sarcasm and frustration.
Amid the anger, one individual offered a solution: “The doctor should be the only one that can make healthcare decisions and the insurance companies should have to cover whatever is deemed necessary.”
“Some of these comments are hateful and uncalled for, but yeah insurance companies are not the most customer-friendly industry so I understand the seething anger,” joined another, trying to strike a balance.
A third expressed, “I’m not callous enough to go all-in on a comment like those, although I empathise with the people making them. The man had a family, and they will be seeing those. I feel sorry for the family. Was he individually responsible for every single failure of the US sick care system? Obviously not. Was he in a position to significantly steer a company whose policies undoubtedly caused huge harm to a ton of people? Absolutely. Titrate your caring accordingly.”
“I’m certainly not calling for any more health insurance CEOs to be killed, but we are a nation where almost everyone has a gun, and some of those who have guns could be mentally destabilised if a loved one dies because their insurance company denies coverage for needed medical treatment. Given that that is undeniably the situation in our country, you are giving some sound advice,” commented a fourth.
