WASHINGTON — Most Americans believe that health insurance profits and denials of coverage are partially responsible for the murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO — though not to the same extent as the person who pulled the trigger, a new poll shows.
In the research from NORC at the University of ChicagoAbout 8 in 10 American adults say the person who committed the murder has “a great deal or “moderate degree” of responsibility for the murder. December 4 shooting by Brian Thompson.
Despite this, some have portrayed Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old suspect charged with Thompson’s murder, as a heroic figure in the aftermath of his arrest, which sparked A flood of complaints about insurance companies. Police say the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were scrawled on the ammunition examiners found at the scene. echoing a phrase often used to describe insurers’ tactics to avoid paying claims.
UnitedHealthcare Mangione said was not a customer.
About seven-in-ten adults say denials of health care coverage by insurance companies, or the profits made by health insurers, also bear at least “a modest amount” of responsibility for Thompson’s death. Younger Americans in particular are likely to see the killing as the result of a convergence of forces and not just the action of one person.
The poll shows that the story of the murder is widely followed. About seven in 10 said they had heard or read “a lot” or “sometimes” about Thompson’s death.
Several factors were seen as responsible. About half of pollsters believe that at least “a modest amount” of debt is rooted in wealth or income inequality, although they did not believe that other factors, such as political divisions in the US, bore the same responsibility.
Patients and doctors often complain about denials of coverage and other complications hinder careespecially for serious diseases such as cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosisor ALS. Insurance industry critics often point to corporate profits when questioning whether patient interests are their primary focus.
UnitedHealthcare made more than $16 billion in profit last year, before interest and taxes, on revenue of $281 billion. Insurers often note that most of the revenue they bring in goes out to pay for care. UnitedHealthcare said this month that it pays about 90% of medical claims when they are filed. The insurer has not provided any details about how many claims are involved.
Americans under the age of thirty, in particular, are likely to believe that a combination of factors is responsible for Thompson’s death. They say insurance company denials and profits are about as responsible as Thompson’s killer is for his death. About seven in 10 American adults between the ages of 18 and 29 say that “a great deal” or “a modest amount” of responsibility depends on the profits made by health insurers, the denial of health care coverage by health insurers, or the person who committed the murder .
Young people are also the least likely age group to say that “a great deal” of responsibility lies with the person who committed the murder. Only about 4 in 10 say that, compared to about 6 in 10 between the ages of 30 and 59. About 8 in 10 adults over 60 say that person deserves “a lot” of responsibility.
About two-thirds of young people place at least a moderate level of blame on wealth or income inequality in general.
People under 30 are more likely to blame the media; 54% say so, compared to about a third of older people.
Frustrations about health insurers, coverage and the complicated American health care system have been simmering for years among patients.
About 3 in 10 Americans say they have had trouble obtaining coverage from their health insurer in the past year, whether it be difficulty finding an appropriate provider in network, a claim being denied or difficulty obtaining prior permission or approval from the insurer before care is provided. This struggle is more common among Americans under the age of 60.
Insurers say prior authorization helps eliminate waste in the system and lets people know if care is covered before it is delivered.
About 3 in 10 respondents say that immediate family or close friends have experienced difficulty obtaining coverage from their health insurer in the past year. Americans under the age of 30 are among the most likely to say they don’t have health insurance.
Most Americans get health care coverage through their jobs or by purchasing individual policies. Separate, government-funded programs provide coverage for people with low incomes or those who are 65 or older or have a serious illness or disability.
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The poll of 1,001 adults was conducted December 12-16, 2024, using a sample from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults totals plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.
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Associated Press writer Tom Murphy reported from Indianapolis.