?? Florida woman arrested for healthcare threats
Good morning, this is Shades of the Day — bringing you different shades of opinion in news & culture so that you can see the big picture quickly. We believe that seeing multiple POVs is the best way to stay informed.
It’s Saturday, December 14 — here’s what you’ll find in today’s edition:
Woman arrested for healthcare threats
Briana Boston, a 42-year-old woman from Florida, was arrested for allegedly threatening a Blue Cross Blue Shield agent after her medical claims were denied. She used the phrase “delay, deny, depose” -- words found on shell casings at the scene of the UnitedHealthcare CEO murderer -- and called healthcare companies “evil”.
HuffPo says the copycat language caught the FBI's attention. If convicted, Boston faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
What exactly did she say? The BBC says Boston used the phrase “Delay, deny, depose, you people are next”. Police and prosecutors claim Ms. Boston leveraged the murder case details to threaten the insurance company.
This Redditor thinks the charges are ridiculous: Prosecutors want to make an example of Boston. What she did wasn't criminal.
For what it's worth, The Independent says Boston's case mirrors the growing discontent among insurance policyholders -- the dissatisfaction is widespread.
UnitedHealth CEO’s NYT op-ed
UnitedHealth's CEO, Andrew Witty, says Brian Thompson's death shines a light on flaws in the U.S. health-care system. In a NYT op-ed, Witty admits shared responsibility in high costs and poor access.
Witty wrote about the legacy of Brian Thompson, and argued that UnitedHealthcare is committed to making the healthcare system better for consumers.
But The New Republic says some readers didn't appreciate the op-ed: Critics thought the piece was “self-serving” and undermined the role that insurance companies play in America's broken healthcare system.
This Redditor was one such disgruntled reader. They argue the media is trying to distract the public from the “real killers” of the United Healthcare CEO death.
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NBC News: But Witty also says Brian Thompson's efforts still matter: Thompson worked hard to improve health care by pushing for more preventive care and transparency. His legacy lives on.
For what it's worth, CBC says Witty didn't shy away from public frustration. He knows there are bigger issues within the U.S. healthcare system that might need addressing.
Nancy Pelosi hospitalized
Yahoo.com?says Nancy Pelosi, 84, was hospitalized during a trip to Luxembourg for injuries from an official engagement. She was traveling with a bipartisan Congressional delegation in Luxembourg to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.
Fox News says Pelosi's injury in Luxembourg prevented her from honoring WWII veterans. But while mourning missed engagements, she stayed on the job while recovering.
NBC News confirms Pelosi, despite 84 and being injured, kept working from the hospital. Pelosi's injury comes after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's recent injury in Washington D.C.
This Redditor thinks it's a sign of a bigger problem -- politicians “this old” aren't a good idea.
For what it's worth, ABC News says Pelosi is getting “excellent treatment” in Luxembourg. Whatever the nondescript injury was, she seems to be recovering well.
6 quick hits
1) SpaceX prepares for Friday night Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral at 8:04 p.m.
2) With Assad's regime overthrown, Syria faces an unpredictable future as Islamist rebels take control.
3) New York City Mayor Eric Adams met with Thomas Homan, the incoming border czar, to discuss stopping violent crime among undocumented immigrants.
4) The Geminid meteor shower, originating from a low-speed explosion of asteroid 3200 Phaethon 1,800 years ago, is one of the most prominent annual astronomical events.
5) A UPenn professor faced backlash for social media posts expressing pride in a murder suspect.
6) Conan O'Brien's parents, Thomas and Ruth O'Brien, passed away a few days apart at ages 95 and 92.