The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has revealed a simmering anger with the American healthcare system in the spotlight. William Brangham discussed more with Wendell Potter. He spent decades working for the health insurance company, Cigna, before leaving and dedicating his career to reform.
I call it “American health extortion”.
The gangster who will smash up your store if you don’t pay for “insurance” is actually offering “extortion” , because he’s creating the problem he’s supposedly insuring against. In America, the insanely high cost of medical care, compared to any other developed country, is being created (by lobbying legislators, backroom price negotiations, etc) and maintained by the companies selling the “insurance” against it.
It’s extortion, not insurance. At least call it what it is.