A wake-up call for American healthcare

The tragic murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has shocked the healthcare industry and sparked a deeply divided public reaction. While senior executives expressed their condolences and praised Mr. Thompson's accomplishments, the broader public sentiment has been scathing, with widespread frustration over systemic failures in U.S. healthcare erupting into the open.

For every post offering sympathy, thousands more have voiced anger and disillusionment. On Reddit and other platforms, many framed the killing as an inevitable consequence of an industry that routinely prioritizes profits over people. As one poster put it, “Honestly shocked this hasn’t happened before. How many millions of families have been ruined financially due to the denials of coverage?” Another chillingly noted, “Every denied claim for life-saving treatment or affordable medication is one more person who might decide to [commit a similar crime]. If your brutal business practice leaves people with nothing left to lose, this is going to be the result and it will happen more as more people slip below the line.”

Even more troubling, some have embraced the shooter as a vigilante hero. “Godspeed buddy,” one commenter wrote. “Hope they don’t catch you.”

These reactions, as disturbing as they are, reflect a raw and visceral frustration with a system that millions feel has failed them. UnitedHealthcare's denial rates, now twice the industry average, have tripled in the past five years, symbolizing a combative system that patients view as indifferent to their suffering. For many, healthcare is no longer a safety net—it’s a battleground.

The New York Police Department’s pledge to spare no expense in solving Mr. Thompson’s murder further ignited public ire, with critics pointing out the hypocrisy of a system where the murders of powerful figures command resources while ordinary cases languish unresolved. It is another glaring example of the double standard that permeates American life: one system for the wealthy, another for everyone else.

This is a turning point. While no one should condone violence, Mr. Thompson’s death should serve as a wake-up call to the healthcare industry and policymakers. The U.S. healthcare system is fundamentally broken. Despite the highest per-capita spending on healthcare in the world, Americans face alarming rates of bankruptcy due to medical bills, and the country continues to rank poorly on life expectancy, infant mortality, unmanaged chronic conditions, and maternal safety.

One Reddit commenter’s bleak observation stands out: “This hasn’t happened before.” It’s a reminder that the human cost of a failing healthcare system is not only borne by patients—it now threatens the stability of the system itself. When millions of people feel unheard, unseen, and financially ruined, the pressure cooker cannot hold indefinitely.

Mr. Thompson’s death must not be reduced to just another grim headline. It must catalyze a national reckoning with a system that values profits over lives. The goal of every healthcare company must be to deliver accessible, high-quality care with minimal administrative barriers, putting patients before shareholders.

Fifteen years from now, Brian Thompson may not be remembered for his corporate achievements. Instead, his tragic death might stand as the tipping point that forced the U.S. to confront its healthcare crisis head-on. With its vast resources, talent, and technological expertise, America has no excuse not to demand better care for its people. The time for change is now.