United in Anger, Denied in Care

The shocking murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has exposed a harsh reality: Americans, across political divides, are united in their frustration with a healthcare system that feels rigged against them. While the killing itself was tragic, the public reaction—marked by shared outrage, biting humor, and personal stories of hardship—reflects a deep and growing discontent. For too long, the healthcare industry has prioritized profits over patients, leaving millions feeling abandoned, betrayed, and exploited.

This anger isn’t new, and it isn’t partisan. It’s rooted in the lived experiences of everyday Americans navigating a system riddled with scandals and failures. Consider Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield’s recent attempt to limit coverage for anesthesia during surgeries, capping care based on arbitrary time limits rather than medical necessity. The backlash forced the insurer to reverse course, but not before patients and providers sounded the alarm: decisions like these are emblematic of a system that treats patients as numbers, not people.

Then there’s Acadia Healthcare, caught falsifying records and billing for unnecessary behavioral health services. This wasn’t a small misstep. Between 2014 and 2017, Acadia admitted patients who didn’t need inpatient care, kept them longer than necessary to boost profits, and failed to meet basic safety standards—resulting in assaults, suicides, and other preventable harms. These actions led to multimillion-dollar settlements, but for the patients affected, no amount of money can undo the damage.

Scandals like these reinforce a painful truth: the healthcare industry often operates without accountability, even as its decisions impact lives in the most intimate and critical ways. Americans are tired of the delays, denials, and endless bureaucracy. It’s why so many are struggling with rising premiums, out-of-pocket costs, and medical debt—and why the frustration crosses party lines.

Even conservative commentator Ben Shapiro recently tried to frame the public outrage over Thompson’s death as “the evil left cheering.” But his own audience pushed back, pointing out that the anger isn’t partisan. “Nah, it’s all of us, bro,” they told him, highlighting the shared frustration with an industry that has let everyone down.

This rare moment of unity underscores a fundamental truth: our shared pain points reveal our shared humanity. For years, advocates and reformers have called attention to the ways our healthcare system exploits people, urging action to address its failures. Too often, those calls have been ignored. But now, as Americans from all walks of life confront the scale of the problem, the question is clear: are we ready to listen?

The numbers tell a grim story. Nearly 20% of insured adults are denied coverage for treatments their doctors recommend. Families pay $25,000 a year in premiums on average, only to face even more out-of-pocket costs. Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in America, a distinction unique to this country among developed nations. Add to that the growing number of lawsuits, fraud settlements, and coverage denials, and it’s easy to see why people feel betrayed.

These aren’t isolated incidents—they’re systemic failures. Anthem’s anesthesia policy, Acadia’s fraudulent billing, and UnitedHealthcare’s denials are symptoms of a larger disease: a system designed to maximize profits at the expense of patients. Meanwhile, executives rake in millions, as ordinary people are left to fight for basic care—or give up entirely.

Brian Thompson’s murder is a tragedy, but it has also become a lightning rod for conversations about the deeper tragedy of our broken healthcare system. Americans, regardless of political affiliation, are demanding accountability—not just for one company or one scandal, but for an entire industry that has put its priorities in the wrong place.

This is a moment for action. It’s not enough to condemn violence; we must also address the desperation and frustration driving this anger. Our healthcare system is failing all of us, and we deserve better. The path forward starts with recognizing that we’re all in this together and holding those in power accountable for the harm they’ve caused.

For too long, Americans have ignored these warning signs. But now, as scandals mount and public outrage grows impossible to ignore, it’s time to listen—and to act. Healthcare reform isn’t just a political issue; it’s a moral one. So, are you listening now?