The alleged killer of the United Healthcare CEO is a "folk hero" to many. This was done not by the public, but by our politics and our government.
Rich or poor, we all need health care. Our health care providers are money-making machines. The more money they take in, the less they pay out -- this is their and their shareholders' goals. Lobbying and political contributions allow this. "Delay, deny, depose" is not an unfamiliar experience for so many with cancer and other serious conditions.
As in many cases of oppression, whether on a family or institutional level, violence can result when people are driven to extremes with nowhere to go. The "folk hero" was a creation of our politicians and government.
George Lucas, Pompano Beach
The assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson is a horrific act of violence that should be unequivocally condemned. The shooter may have sought to influence how insurers operate, but such an appalling act is unlikely to bring about change and only perpetuates more harm.
This tragedy highlights a broader pressing issue: medical debt. For many, the lack of insurance coverage or denial of claims has devastating financial consequences. Medical debt is not only a leading cause of bankruptcy, but often takes a heavy toll on people's health and livelihood.
Those burdened by insurmountable medical bills are often too unwell to work or work at diminished capacity. Mounting expenses and lost income create a financial spiral that few can escape without intervention.
Historically, and still in some countries, such individuals must face the grim reality of debtor's prison. Our modern bankruptcy system provides a lifeline by offering people a pathway to recover from financial ruin caused by medical and other debt.
As we mourn this tragedy, we must use this moment to address systemic issues that create such desperate situations for so many.
Re: Reaction to CEO's assassination should be giant red flag to health care industry, by Dr. Arthur E. Palamara
This was a wanton, abhorrent, cowardly murder of an unarmed adult in the back. The victim was someone's son, husband, father.
The killer violated criminal and religious law and did not even have the courage to face his victim. To use this murder as an introduction to discuss the legitimate complaints of physicians (while noting that he is a delegate to Florida Medical Association) is an insult to every FMA physician who battles these ruthless behemoths daily.
Shame on you. Shame on our elected officials who take their campaign money and don't fix the problems in health, property and auto insurance. Shame on the Sun Sentinel for publishing it.
Steven Reznick, M.D., FACP, Boca Raton
I refuse to concede that Medicare, which I, as an octogenarian, have, is inferior to the higher-priced systems that younger, healthier Americans have. The same quality of care is given to me by providers, using age-adjusted outcomes. The only difference: My government-administered insurer pays providers substantially lower fees and costs than do non-Medicare patients.
Whether Medicare is expert at pricing medical services or whether private providers are charging excessive fees to optimize profits, one change would create a more cost-efficient and fairer system for patients. Any provider accepting Medicare should not be able to charge any other payer more than they receive for the same services on behalf of the more than 65 million Medicare members.
Hospitals, physicians, diagnostic centers and other providers may claim that they are underpaid by Medicare, but they should be thankful that they receive more for Medicare patients than most seniors could ever afford.
Sheldon I. Saitlin, Boca Raton