The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a Manhattan street is the latest moment to shine a light on the tensions shaking American life.
Some users, particularly on social media, gloated about the killings, a reaction believed to be rooted in hostility toward the health insurance industry. That, in turn, led to rebukes from others who condemned those responses as inhumane, especially in the circumstances.
But between these two poles, the uproar was a reminder of two truths.
First, there is a widespread perception that health insurance companies are greedy and callous. Second, there is a risk that this smoldering anger could boil over and erupt into violence, especially when society as a whole is in such a frenzied state.
For example, a national poll a year ago found that nearly one in four Americans agreed with the statement that “true American patriots may have to resort to violence to save their country.” It turned out that there was.
In a situation where much remains unknown, these crosscurrents collide in Mr. Thompson's death.
For now, the motive is unknown, as is the identity and whereabouts of the shooter.
The insurance company CEO, 50, was shot and killed early Wednesday morning as he arrived to attend the company's investor meeting at the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan.
Security camera footage released from the scene shows the gunman wearing a hooded jacket and backpack firing at Thompson from behind. According to reports, the gunman was skilled with firearms and resumed firing at the officers after unclogging the gun.
Video footage shows the suspect appearing relatively calm, not panicking as Thompson curled into a ball, and only briefly scuttling across the street to leave the scene.
The words “demotion,” “denial,” and “defense” were written in marker on the shell casings at the scene, according to the Associated Press.
These terms are often used to describe health insurance tactics to avoid paying for treatment. Jay Feynman's 2010 book criticizing the industry was titled “Delayed Denials, Defense” and the subtitle was “Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.”
As a horrifying side effect of the murder, the book appears to have seen a slight sales spike, with another edition occupying the top four spots on Amazon's “Business Insurance” bestseller list as of Thursday night.
The killing of Mr. Thompson, who was awarded more than $10 million in annual compensation, immediately drew derisive comments from some social media users.
“Today my thoughts and sympathies go out to all those who have lost loved ones who had their claims denied by #UnitedHealthcare,” one user wrote of one such user.
Another person posted a mock logo for the company, featuring a crosshair, with the question: “Do you think you could get sued if you made this as a shirt?”
Yet another wrote, “Hard to find sympathy for the CEO of one of the worst medical companies in the world…they prey on families.” [sic] Tomb. “
It wasn't a random comment from an anonymous individual.
Anthony Zenkas, a senior lecturer in social work at Columbia University, said:I wroteon X, “Today we mourn the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson…Wait, I'm sorry. Today we mourn the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson… Rich people.”
As of Thursday night, Zenkus' post had been liked 84,000 times and retweeted 11,000 times.
Those feelings caused a backlash.
Billy Binion, a reporter for the libertarian publication Reason,I wroteX said it was “despicable” that people appeared to be “gleefully celebrating the shooting death of a father-of-two”.
Robert Pondiscio of the conservative American Enterprise Institute wrote on the same site that the online reaction to Thompson's killing “represents a new and eerie low for social media.”
The broader context that fostered Thompson's response is worth emphasizing.
A KFF poll conducted earlier this year found that when asked who is to blame for high medical costs, 97% of registered voters said that insurance companies were either “very responsible'' or “somewhat responsible.'' ” he answered.
The broader health insurance industry also often acts as if it justifies the opinions of its harshest critics.
On Thursday, another insurer, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, abandoned a proposed policy change that would have limited reimbursement for anesthetics during surgery.
Critics slammed the proposal, saying it would force patients to pay a portion of their anesthesia costs out-of-pocket, but the company claimed there was “significant misinformation widely disseminated” about the proposal.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), who had voiced opposition to the change, said Thursday: “We urged Anthem to change course, and today Anthem will announce a complete reversal of this misguided policy.” I celebrated.
The whole issue of health care and its associated benefits continues to create sharp divisions in the public debate.
aFebruary reportA KFF study found that Americans owe “at least $220 billion” in medical debt, with about 3 million people owed more than $10,000.
Mr. Thompson's business generated $281 billion in revenue last year, according to the Associated Press.
The shooting that killed Thompson echoes a national situation of visceral tension.
The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.
