Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said that when health insurance companies reject claims, individuals facing financial hardship might perceive it as aggressive action against them.
“All of that pain that people have experienced is being concentrated on this event. It’s really important that we take a step back, this is not to comment and this is not to say that an act of violence is justified, but I think anyone who is confused or shocked or appalled, they need to understand that people interpret and feel and experience denied claims as an act of violence against them,” Ocasio-Cortez told CBS associate producer Jaala Brown.
The congresswoman explained that individuals often become homeless due to financial difficulties arising from untreated medical conditions or unexpected medical expenses.
This discussion follows the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel during UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference.
The incident highlights growing tensions between the American public and health insurers. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) noted that the shooting might serve as a cautionary signal for healthcare industry stakeholders, noting public frustration has reached critical levels.
According to The Associated Press, investigators found shell casings marked with words including “depose,” “deny” and “defend” – terminology associated with insurance companies’ claim rejection practices.
These terms mirror the title of a 2010 publication criticising insurance practices: “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.”
Ocasio-Cortez, sharing her personal experiences with health insurance, stated that the privatised healthcare system affects numerous Americans adversely.
The suspect, Luigi Mangione, faces multiple charges including second-degree murder and weapons possession. Authorities discovered a ghost gun, silencer, and documents expressing grievances against corporate entities, linking him to the incident.
