It was wrong to take that man's life and I hope they find the person who did it. We live in a country that I don't recognize anymore after 70 plus years. I also understand the pain many families are feeling, myself included, knowing insurance companies have the authority to make medical decisions for you instead of a doctor. Why can't we have Universal healthcare like most civilized countries?
I wonder, if the few responses here to your sincere thoughts expressed, doesn’t reflect just how many hold a position somewhere on the line, not close to your point of view.
I respect your real world perspectives of this shooting, but when one adds up the current Bezos/Musk/TFG power over ordinary people, the similar sway ordinary “insurance” nightmares people without, or even with, “good” health insurance coverage, have to endure, I am not surprised at these reactions. Add to all that the fact that this story, unlike so many shootings, is not disappearing from news feeds as too many typically do the day after it happens; I accept that those facts all show signs and symptoms of how much we need, and should have a different healthcare model.
Yet, everyone also understands, we have little to no chance TO get any different healthcare business model in the foreseeable future, or even, in our lifetimes.
I know it’s not a righteous act, I know it will solve nothing, no matter what pain or trauma his company has and continues to cause people, but I can’t deny having felt that angry at a health insurance attack personally, for myself or a family member more than once in my life.
AND may I ask a rhetorical question I believe demonstrates just HOW inadequate and dysfunctional our “health insurance” is? When, and why, did dental or ophthalmic care NOT become part of “health” care?
I think it also reflects more than one wider understanding of people vs corporate power we live with in this country: it is more noteworthy when one corporate head or entity faces violence, than the thousands they kill or are responsible for the deaths of in society as a routine, daily course of “business”.
Sadly, I do believe this is a harbinger of things to come. With the widening economic disparities of our country, there will be more desperate and unstable people "striking back."
Flipside, there is zero justification for this act, but I do understand the futility of dealing with health insurance denials. The profit motive outweighs the literal purpose of having insurance.
I have wrestled with my thoughts about this man’s murder. At first, I was shocked—especially because my boss had stayed at the same hotel just three days prior. She shared the news with us after her husband texted her, recognizing the hotel and street names from the coverage.
Having worked in healthcare for over 25 years, I have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of health insurance denials. So, I understand why many people online reacted with glee. I, too, have been subjected to UHC’s outrageous denial policies and developed such a disdain for the company that I willingly pay higher premiums to avoid their coverage.
Yet, as you rightly pointed out, for those of us who hold firm to our beliefs, we must remember: “Thou shalt not kill.” I think of this man’s family, who must now bear the weight of grief while hearing others cheer for his death. I grieve for them.
At the same time, we all have free will. This man chose profit over pursuing a moral profession. Some may argue, “If he didn’t do this job, someone else would.” That may be true, but change has to start somewhere.
For this reason, I have not chosen to celebrate his murder. Instead, I will continue to shine a light on the injustices of the industry to which he pledged his loyalty—and, ultimately, his life.
It was wrong to take that man's life and I hope they find the person who did it. We live in a country that I don't recognize anymore after 70 plus years. I also understand the pain many families are feeling, myself included, knowing insurance companies have the authority to make medical decisions for you instead of a doctor. Why can't we have Universal healthcare like most civilized countries?
I surely hope that we someday get to a true Universal health care model. I do!
I wonder, if the few responses here to your sincere thoughts expressed, doesn’t reflect just how many hold a position somewhere on the line, not close to your point of view.
I respect your real world perspectives of this shooting, but when one adds up the current Bezos/Musk/TFG power over ordinary people, the similar sway ordinary “insurance” nightmares people without, or even with, “good” health insurance coverage, have to endure, I am not surprised at these reactions. Add to all that the fact that this story, unlike so many shootings, is not disappearing from news feeds as too many typically do the day after it happens; I accept that those facts all show signs and symptoms of how much we need, and should have a different healthcare model.
Yet, everyone also understands, we have little to no chance TO get any different healthcare business model in the foreseeable future, or even, in our lifetimes.
I know it’s not a righteous act, I know it will solve nothing, no matter what pain or trauma his company has and continues to cause people, but I can’t deny having felt that angry at a health insurance attack personally, for myself or a family member more than once in my life.
AND may I ask a rhetorical question I believe demonstrates just HOW inadequate and dysfunctional our “health insurance” is? When, and why, did dental or ophthalmic care NOT become part of “health” care?
I think it also reflects more than one wider understanding of people vs corporate power we live with in this country: it is more noteworthy when one corporate head or entity faces violence, than the thousands they kill or are responsible for the deaths of in society as a routine, daily course of “business”.
Brilliant commentary, outstanding rhetorical question! The reactions are telling, and the deplorable state of our health care is equally telling.
Thank you. We still push forwards. I’m glad we have good people like yourself with a sound set of values and principles. Keep speaking those truths.
Sadly, I do believe this is a harbinger of things to come. With the widening economic disparities of our country, there will be more desperate and unstable people "striking back."
Flipside, there is zero justification for this act, but I do understand the futility of dealing with health insurance denials. The profit motive outweighs the literal purpose of having insurance.
Great points, albeit sad...
I have wrestled with my thoughts about this man’s murder. At first, I was shocked—especially because my boss had stayed at the same hotel just three days prior. She shared the news with us after her husband texted her, recognizing the hotel and street names from the coverage.
Having worked in healthcare for over 25 years, I have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of health insurance denials. So, I understand why many people online reacted with glee. I, too, have been subjected to UHC’s outrageous denial policies and developed such a disdain for the company that I willingly pay higher premiums to avoid their coverage.
Yet, as you rightly pointed out, for those of us who hold firm to our beliefs, we must remember: “Thou shalt not kill.” I think of this man’s family, who must now bear the weight of grief while hearing others cheer for his death. I grieve for them.
At the same time, we all have free will. This man chose profit over pursuing a moral profession. Some may argue, “If he didn’t do this job, someone else would.” That may be true, but change has to start somewhere.
For this reason, I have not chosen to celebrate his murder. Instead, I will continue to shine a light on the injustices of the industry to which he pledged his loyalty—and, ultimately, his life.
👀