The three words “Deny,” “Defend,” and “Depose” that were scrawled on the bullet used to kill UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson are said to be reminiscent of a phrase frequently used by those who criticize the insurance sector.
According to Knewz.com, a manhunt for the masked shooter began when the health insurance executive was killed on December 4 by an as-yet-unidentified perpetrator.
Two law enforcement personnel, who have not disclosed their identities to the media, found and reported the mysterious inscription on the bullet, which was thought to have been permanently marked on the ammo.
Social media has reportedly been inundated with fury about the killing and the statement inscribed on the bullet, with many people celebrating the murder of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
Notably, a sizable portion of online users are praising the disguised killer as a “hero,” and jokes about the Wednesday killing are trending on social media.
It has been said that the public’s response to the crime reflects “a deepening frustration Americans have over the cost and complexity of getting care.”
The inscription on the assassination bullet resembles a phrase that lawyers frequently use to explain how insurance companies refuse to pay for services: “Delay, Deny, Defend.”
According to Lea Keller, managing partner of the personal injury legal firm Lewis and Keller, located in North Carolina, “The longer they can delay and deny the claim, the longer they can hold onto their money and they’re not paying it out.”
In addition to being the title of a 2010 book by Jay Feinman that provided insights into how insurance firms handle claims, the phrase has reportedly become something of a “rallying cry” against the insurance business.
The following is taken from the book: “All insurance companies have an incentive to chisel their customers in order to increase profits.”
According to reports, UnitedHealthcare is one of the biggest health insurance companies in the US, with over $281 billion in revenue in only the prior year.
Over the past few years, the corporation and a number of similar businesses have reportedly come under heavy fire from physicians, consumers, and legislators for “denying claims or complicating access to care.”
The insurance company’s “prior authorization denial rate for some Medicare Advantage patients” has increased significantly in recent years, according to a study released in October 2024 by the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.
“Critics say insurers are increasingly interfering with even routine care, causing delays that can, in some cases, hurt a patient s chances for recovery or even survival,” according to reports.
Additionally, companies such as UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and CVS have come under fire for allegedly failing to cover “breakthrough” drugs, such as those used to treat obesity and Alzheimer’s disease, or for providing coverage that is severely restricted when it does.
According to social media reactions, a significant portion of the general public has apparently shown little to no sorrow for the news of the insurance CEO’s death.
Following the release of security camera footage allegedly depicting the assassin, who has not yet been identified, an Instagram remark regarding the incident stated, “I would be happy to help look for the shooter but vision isn’t covered under my healthcare plan.”
“Many Americans view these companies as driven by profit rather than a commitment to serve their customers,” observed Mario Macis, an economist at Johns Hopkins who analyzes confidence in the healthcare system. And this leads to a significant divergence.
Law enforcement officials have published updated images of a suspect wanted for questioning in connection with the incident and are currently conducting a manhunt for the masked shooter who killed Thompson.
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