Poll Reveals Most Americans Blame Insurance Profits and Denials Alongside Killer in UHC CEO Death

WASHINGTON — According to a new study, most Americans believe health insurance profits and coverage denials contributed to the death of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, albeit not as much as the individual who pulled the shot.

According to a survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, approximately 8 in 10 persons in the United States believe the perpetrator bears “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” of guilt for Brian Thompson’s shooting on December 4.

Despite this, some have portrayed Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old suspect charged with Thompson’s murder, as a heroic figure following his arrest, which sparked an outpouring of complaints against insurance companies. Police believe the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose” were scrawled on the ammo discovered at the site, mirroring a phrase widely used to describe insurer methods for avoiding paying claims.

Approximately 7 in 10 respondents believe that insurance company denials of health care coverage, or the profits made by health insurance corporations, bear at least “a moderate amount” of blame for Thompson’s death. Younger Americans are more likely to regard the murder as the outcome of a combination of factors rather than the actions of a single individual.

Americans consider a wide range of causes contributing to the UHC CEO’s death.

According to the poll, the story of the homicide is extensively discussed. Approximately seven in ten people had heard or read “a lot” or “some” about Thompson’s death.

Multiple causes were identified as responsible. About half of those polled say that at least “a moderate amount” of blame is rooted in wealth or income disparity, but they do not believe other variables, such as political differences in the United States, bear the same degree of guilt.

Patients and clinicians frequently complain about coverage denials and other issues that interfere with treatment, particularly for serious illnesses such as cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Critics of the insurance business frequently point to company profits when questioning whether patients’ best interests are prioritized.

According to UnitedHealthcare, Mangione was not a client.

Last year, UnitedHealthcare earned more than $16 billion in profit before interest and taxes off $281 billion in revenue. Insurers usually point out that the majority of their revenue is spent on health-care expenses. UnitedHealthcare stated last month that it pays approximately 90% of medical claims when they are received. The insurance hasn’t said how many claims are involved.

For young individuals, responsibility is evenly divided between insurers and the killer.

Americans under the age of 30 are more likely to believe Thompson died as a result of a combination of causes. They claim that insurance company denials and profits are as much to blame for Thompson’s death as his killer. Approximately 7 in 10 U.S. individuals aged 18 to 29 believe that “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” of culpability lies on health insurance company profits, rejections of health care coverage by health insurance companies, or the person who committed the homicide.

Young people are likewise the least likely to believe that the perpetrator bears “a great deal” of culpability for the homicide. Only approximately four in ten say this, compared to six in ten between the ages of 30 and 59. Approximately 8 in 10 persons over 60 believe that person deserves “a great deal” of responsibility.

Approximately two-thirds of young people place some amount of blame on wealth or income disparity in general.

People under 30 are more likely to blame the media (54%), compared to roughly one-third of older respondents.

In the recent year, around three out of ten people suffered with their health insurance coverage.

Patients have long been frustrated with health insurers, coverage, and the convoluted US healthcare system.

About three out of ten Americans say they have had trouble acquiring coverage from their health insurer in the recent year, whether it was finding an appropriate in-network provider, having a claim denied, or having to obtain prior permission or insurer approval before receiving care. These challenges are more common among Americans under the age of 60.

According to UnitedHealthcare, prior authorizations help to reduce waste in the system and inform individuals about whether their care will be reimbursed before it is delivered. According to the insurance, less than 2% of its customers are denied care due to prior authorizations each year.

Approximately three out of ten respondents in the study reported having difficulty obtaining coverage from their health insurer in the previous year. Americans under 30 are among the most likely to report not having health insurance.

Most Americans obtain health insurance through their employers or by purchasing individual policies. Separate government-funded programs serve persons with low incomes, those over the age of 65, and those suffering from serious illnesses or impairments.