“After UnitedHealthcare CEO Killing, Doctors Speak Out.” Wall Street Journal, December 14, 2024.

[u/JustKidding456]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zV9qk5rIaM

[u/Maximus_2698]

The lionization of Luigi Mangione is grotesque. A spoiled, privileged, rich kid murdering someone in cold blood because of their profession should never be turned into a folk hero. All the supportive rhetoric on Reddit and elsewhere will only encourage copycats and is deeply authoritarian.

The simple fact is that while most Americans aren't satisfied with the American healthcare system in the abstract, a majority of Americans are satisfied with the cost of their own personal healthcare.

The primary difference between our system and a system like Canada's or the UK's is who picks up the tab. For us its private insurance, and for them it's the government. I'm sure the same people arguing that this murder shows we need to overhaul our healthcare system would not feel the same way if the NHS director in the UK was killed in the same fashion.

[u/a157reverse → u/Maximus_2698]

The simple fact is that while most Americans aren't satisfied with the American healthcare system in the abstract, a majority of Americans are satisfied with the cost of their own personal healthcare.

I'm not quite sure what conclusion to make of this. Personally, I am satisfied with my healthcare costs as they are quite low as a healthy (as far as I know) young person. My healthcare costs are basically limited to the annual physical and PT for exercise related injuries from time to time. But I am dissatisfied with how my personal healthcare costs could financially destitute me if it turns out I've got cancer or have a bad car wreck or something similarly catastrophic.

I think people aren't necessarily wrong for being dissatisfied with the healthcare system even if they have limited exposure to it currently. High quality healthcare ain't cheap, and you're seeing many socialized systems start to stress under the cost pressures. Personally, not sure I would take Canadian bargain of long wait times. Unfortunately, a lot of efforts to reduce healthcare costs (such as allowing nurse practitioners to fill more roles) are seen as money grabs by the insurance companies.

[u/robbyslaughter → u/a157reverse]

But I am dissatisfied with how my personal healthcare costs could financially destitute me if it turns out I’ve got cancer or have a bad car wreck or something similarly catastrophic.

That’s not what would make you destitute. It would be your lack of income. If you’re in the hospital or laid up at home for months you can’t work. Pretty soon you can’t pay rent or cover your other normal bills.

Of course if you have significant medical expenses that are not covered this can make the problem worse. But personal insolvency happens in all countries and the rate is about the same in the US as it in most other wealthy nations. For serious medical needs there are differences in cost and the timing of how payment is made but perhaps the most interesting distinction is when the discrimination occurs.