Memes, sarcastic posts over murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO lay bare America’s broken healthcare system

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The victim, Brian Thompson, was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurer in the United States.

Thompson’s death, as shocking as it may be, has elicited mixed responses online. Businessmen and US politicians have expressed grief and avowed swift justice. But a corner of social media has found reason to vent its anger against the healthcare system in the country.

Many posted the letters they had received, denying their claims for medical treatment or equipment. An independent journalist Ken Klippenstein shared a bar graph of the rate of claims denied by insurance companies on social media platform X. With UnitedHealthcare topping the chart, Klippenstein wrote, “Today we remember the legacy of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.” His post garnered 7.9 million views and 80,000 likes.

Another user ran a poll on X, asking if the CEO’s death was “deserved”.

Bullet casings found near the scene of the crime reportedly had the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” emblazoned on them. The words seem to be a play on a common phrase “delay, deny, defend” which, according to the news agency AP, describes the tactics insurers use to avoid paying out.

Some have turned Thompson’s death into fodder for dark humour and memes. A person claiming to be a therapist wrote on X, “I just hope his family knows that grief counselling isn’t considered ‘medically necessary’ and is not covered by their United Healthcare insurance before they get hit by any unexpected bills.”

A poster is attached near the scene where the CEO of UnitedHealthcare Brian Thompson was shot dead in Midtown Manhattan, in New York City, U.S., December 5, 2024. (Reuters)

A controversial “CEO down” meme also made the rounds on social media. Mugshots of the suspected shooter were shared with captions like “folk hero”, or “TIME’s Person of the Year”.

In another post on X by Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar expressing condolences, a user wrote, “Sorry, thoughts and prayers require prior authorization.”

There has also been a counterwave of sympathy over Thompson’s death. “While the healthcare system is undeniably flawed, it does not justify the callous rejoicing over his death,” a post on X read. Another person called it “a new and ominous low for social media.”

However, the apathy and disdain in the online response to the CEO’s brutal murder deserves a second look. It spells out American citizens’ frustration with insurance companies and the healthcare system.

Flags fly at half-staff outside of the office of UnitedHealthcare, the day after the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson was shot dead, in Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S., December 5, 2024. (Reuters)

In the US, citizens rely heavily on private insurers to fund highly expensive healthcare. This means that patients are subject to the whims of insurance providers. For access to healthcare and/or assistance, they must submit their recommended treatment to the insurer, who then decides if the requested service is “medically necessary”. A large number of these “prior authorization” requests end up getting denied. Over the years, insurers have come under the lens for denying claims and obstructing access to care.

All’s not well with UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare’s profits grew under Thompson. According to The New York Times, the company’s profits jumped three-fold between 2021 and 2023. The firm, however, was facing increasing scrutiny over claim denials.

A US Senate report, published in October this year, flagged the use of an automated prior-authorization mechanism by UnitedHealthcare, which made the process faster but resulted in more denials. The report also noted the misuse of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) to pre-empt cases that may result in appeals. A lawsuit filed in the District Court of Minnesota has also accused UnitedHealthcare of using flawed AI models to deny care to the elderly.

In November, the US Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit to block UnitedHealth Group (the parent company of UnitedHealthcare) from acquiring Amedisys Inc, a rival home health and hospice services provider. The department noted that the acquisition would eliminate competition between the two companies and harm beneficiaries.