A recent murder of a UnitedHealthcare CEO has highlighted the simmering anger among Americans towards the healthcare system. However, this is not the first time that experts have pointed out the flaws in the industry.
Wendell Potter, former Cigna executive and health insurance reform advocate, agrees with many critics that the system is “rigged against” those who need it most. He points to years of denying claims and forcing patients to pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses, leading to devastating consequences.
Potter argues that the industry’s focus on profits over people has led to a culture of violence, where companies prioritize shareholder expectations over patient care. The increasing rate of claim denials is also attributed to pressure from Wall Street, which pushes executives to control healthcare costs.
While some may argue that the for-profit system is the only reality in a capitalist society, Potter suggests that this narrative can be misleading. He points out that big corporations have only recently started to dominate the healthcare industry and that their influence has led to erosion of support for reforms like Medicare-for-all.
The industry’s aggressive propaganda campaigns and lobbying efforts also play a significant role in discouraging people from advocating for change. However, Potter remains hopeful that by exposing the truth about the system’s failures and highlighting the human impact, advocates can build momentum for reform.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/ceo-murder-reveals-simmering-anger-with-american-health-care-system