United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in New York City on Dec. 4, 2024. The busy location and the notorious company the victim was associated with quickly garnered media attention, but the revelation of the suspect, Luigi Mangione, exponentially accelerated publicity of the killing and interest in systemic issues engrained in healthcare.
Mangione was born and raised in a prominent family in the Baltimore area of Maryland. It was reported his father owned the family business, Mangione Family Enterprises, and his cousin is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates. Mangione attended the Gilman School, a private, all-boys college preparatory school, where he graduated as valedictorian. He then went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania and worked as a data engineer before moving to Honolulu in 2023.
As details of his life began to surface, many observers sought to understand why such a conventionally successful person would possibly commit an illegal act that would forfeit his freedom and all the privileges he had. This was especially confusing since, according to the American Bankruptcy Institute, around 60-70% of Americans who spiral into healthcare debts are members of the middle class– a level of privilege that Mangione was far beyond in the majority of his life.
Healthcare insurance companies have long amassed discontent among the middle class. According to statistics from the health policy organization KFF, health insurance costs have risen at a pace faster than inflation. Many salaries are not enough to cover unexpected medical bills on top of usual expenses. Because of the financial pressure these insurance companies have placed on families nationwide, it is no surprise that, according to Gallup polling, 81% of Americans are dissatisfied with the cost of healthcare in the United States.
However, due to the monopolization of companies such as United Healthcare, it is extremely difficult for a systemic change to be made despite the widespread dissatisfaction. The increasing trend of larger insurance companies dominating the market and pushing out smaller plans forces consumers to commit to plans from large companies. This state of dominance ultimately eliminates competition, which results in a decrease in investment and innovation. “Patients do not seem to be benefiting from the consolidation…Health insurers are posting historically high-profit margins, yet patient health insurance premiums continue to rise without an expansion of benefits,” said James Rohack, a member of the board of the American Medical Association.
While murder itself is illegal and condemned, the interest and attention this killing brought to the healthcare industry is undeniable.
