Healthcare Denial: A Rep's Perspective on Desperation

You might not expect a political representative to link denied healthcare claims to violence. But that's exactly what Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a young liberal lawmaker, did recently. She didn't condone the murder of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson, but she saw a connection between his killing and the desperation people feel when they can't afford healthcare. This 35-year-old politician doesn’t have a personal connection to health insurance companies. In fact, she didn’t even have health insurance until she joined Congress in 2019. Before that, she turned to free clinics for help with medical needs she couldn’t cover. She believes the current healthcare system is so bad that people face issues they shouldn't have to.

Ocasio-Cortez thinks people who don’t care about others’ healthcare struggles should consider the danger their indifference causes. She points out that inequality in the U. S. creates social instability. People are frustrated and desperate, which can lead to extreme actions. In a related event, Pennsylvania police arrested Luigi Mangione, an accomplished academic, for Thompson's murder. Mangione was allegedly upset with insurance companies for profiting by rejecting people's claims. He reportedly planned to kill a healthcare executive at a meeting of investors. After the murder, many people online expressed similar frustrations with the healthcare system and insurance companies. Some even celebrated the act, showing how deeply people feel about this issue.

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