Thanks for the thinking behind "Thoughts and Prayers" at this time of year when you might like to be just hanging at home with your family. Thanks for your public vulnerability and strength. "What is terrorism" is exactly a question that should be top of mind for both sides of "the aisle". I say this in full agreement and understanding of the historical references in your piece and in your citing the murder of Herman Whitfield III, yet another instance of police extra judicial killing in the USA. I wouldn't be a subscriber if I did not think these things have to be talked about again and again until they break down the resistance of the legions of people and policy makers who will not hear it. Having just visited Cuba ,I too have been thinking about the broad and broken meaning of terrorism as it is interpreted in the USA locally, nationally and internationally. I mean, what is the threat of Cuba to the US today? What is terrorism as applied to cops and prison guards in the USA? Talking about and working for change is never easy, however we approach it. But let's all keep going. Happy Holidays All.
I’m a paid OG subscriber and huge fan, grateful for your efforts to keep us informed and sane. I don’t see an email about a gift. As a former therapist I will testify to your sanity (adjusted to account for being a Black man) if your therapist needs backup:) Have you seen the 1971 interview between James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni? They debate/discuss the perils of being a Black man in our country. Kay O’Neill
Hi, Kay! Thanks for being a paid OG subscriber and apologies for the confusion! The "founding subscribers" are the folks who signed up for the "I'm Really With You" plan at $150/year. They get some extra perks on top of the other subscriber perks.
Hi, Melissa! Thanks for being a paid OG subscriber and apologies for the confusion! The "founding subscribers" are the folks who signed up for the "I'm Really With You" plan at $150/year. They get some extra perks on top of the other subscriber perks.
Kelly that’s for the clarification and in these times it’s all good on my end. Gosh this really is the last thing we need to be tho long about. We have to stay focused on care for each other. I’m wishing you all the best
Hey, Robert! Thanks for being a paid OG subscriber and apologies for the confusion! The "founding subscribers" are the folks who signed up for the "I'm Really With You" plan at $150/year. They get some extra perks on top of the other subscriber perks.
Kamau, much love to you and yours this holiday week, and always. Mental health is critical. I'm a psychiatrist and I've pushed back against Aetna for denying psychotherapy claims and wanting to see medical records to determine "medical necessity". It's absurd. This violates even the American Psychiatric Association's position statement on minimum necessary information to process claims. They just want to delay, deny, defend, etc. and are without regard for patients' well being or the doctor-patient relationship. A lot of doctors also voiced frustration after the killing of the CEO. More here -
Many physicians reacted with the opposite of sympathy to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson this week, reflecting pent-up frustration and anger over what they described as the health insurer's routine denials of care for sick or dying patients.
The shocking killing in New York City sparked a wave of antipathy from doctors and patients for the nation's largest health insurer, which Thompson had led since 2021. UnitedHealthcare, a division of the conglomerate UnitedHealth Group, insures about 50 million Americans and reported more than $281 billion in revenue in 2023. Thompson received compensation of more than $10 million in 2023.
"I'm waiting for a prior authorization before I shed any tears," wrote Reddit user KR1735, listed as an internal medicine doctor, on the subreddit r/medicine.
One physician online recalled fighting with UnitedHealthcare over its denial of the low-cost drug metformin. Another recalled the insurer requiring a peer-to-peer review for prescribing levodopa, "a drug so old it could join the AARP. The 'peer' I spoke with had never heard of Sinemet, Parkinson's, or the FDA," a Reddit user describing himself as a neurologist wrote.
Particularly on Reddit, comments were so scathing that the moderators of the leading medical subreddit deleted one thread about Thompson's slaying, the Daily Beast reported. But clinicians' harsh criticism of the CEO and UnitedHealthcare's practices continued throughout the week on Reddit and other social media platforms.
"If you're the CEO of one of the most comically evil companies in the US, you should be prepared for consequences, and the only surprise should be that this doesn't happen more often...the fact no one is sad speaks to the legacy left behind; hope the millions were worth it," wrote Reddit user ThucydidesButthurt, listed as an anesthesiologist, on a separate thread on r/medicine.
A few physicians took a more measured approach.
"While the murder of the UnitedHealthcare CEO is tragic, let's remember that thousands of Americans die every year when United denies coverage. Violence is never the answer, but we do need to find lawful ways to hold insurance executives accountable for their greed," wrote Bluesky user "Lisa, MD," on the social media platform.
'Deny' and 'Defend'
The words "deny," "defend," and "depose" were seen on shell casings at the crime scene, police said, echoing words used to describe how health insurers "delay," "deny," and "defend" to avoid paying for care in hopes of increasing profits. It's even the title of a 2010 book on the insurance industry.
UnitedHealthcare used algorithms to improperly deny mental health claims, a system three states deemed illegal, ProPublica reported. A STAT investigation found the insurer similarly used algorithms to deny rehabilitation care for its Medicare Advantage enrollees.
Earlier this year, an employee pension fund in Florida sued Thompson, UnitedHealth Group, and two other executives for alleged fraud and illegal insider trading, claiming that the executives did not disclose a federal antitrust investigation of the company, CNN reported.
While some physicians pointed to a chart showing that UnitedHealthcare denied nearly a third of all claims, more than other US insurers, comparing denial rates among insurers is challenging because insurers are largely not required to report them. Insurers offering Affordable Care Act plans on state exchanges are required to report claim denials for those plans to federal officials.
"What has bothered me the most is people that put fiduciary responsibility (eg, profits) above human lives, none more so than this company as run by him," wrote one Reddit user who identified himself as an MD otolaryngology professor. "When other's (sic) human lives are deemed worthless, it is not surprising to have others view your life of no value as well."
Thank you for your thoughts! I, too, have felt this incident has been more unifying than anything we have seen in a long time. It's a wonder to me that Universal Healthcare has not brought us together as citizens in the past - perhaps because no party *with money* has embraced it in their platform.
I'm curious what constitutes a founding subscriber. I know I was an early subscriber, but perhaps not early enough to be "founding" as I didn't receive an email.
Hi, Jackie! Thanks for being a paid OG subscriber and apologies for the confusion! The "founding subscribers" are the folks who signed up for the "I'm Really With You" plan at $150/year. They get some extra perks on top of the other subscriber perks.
Okay. Besides the fact that I appreciate and agree with every word you wrote (and have loved in past years seeing you in-person in Oakland), this got me:
". . . maybe we can get through 2025 in one piece. But we won’t do it if we continue to let money rule the country. We won’t do it if we continue to let the dividers divide us. And we won’t do it if we let the media dictate the conversation and serve as court stenographers for the wealthy. We have to pull together."
I want to send you my little book on stopping letting money rule the country via a movement for a nonviolent--but real--revolution. Endorsed by Cornel West, Joanna Macy, Clarence Thomas (not *that* Clarence Thomas, the veteran the ILWU organizer C.T.!) and others. Not naming the title or posting the Amazon link here because I'm not trying to advertise to your readers. But send me a message and we can arrange for me to pass it on to you. I think you'll like it, and you might be motivated to help it reach others who will make good use of it.
I don't get this. People are outraged that Brian Thompson's salary was $10m/year, but nobody has said a peep about the fact that Andrew Witty, who took over for him, makes over twice as much. And that's the LOW end of CEO pay in the US--the bottom of the top 100!
Thanks for the thinking behind "Thoughts and Prayers" at this time of year when you might like to be just hanging at home with your family. Thanks for your public vulnerability and strength. "What is terrorism" is exactly a question that should be top of mind for both sides of "the aisle". I say this in full agreement and understanding of the historical references in your piece and in your citing the murder of Herman Whitfield III, yet another instance of police extra judicial killing in the USA. I wouldn't be a subscriber if I did not think these things have to be talked about again and again until they break down the resistance of the legions of people and policy makers who will not hear it. Having just visited Cuba ,I too have been thinking about the broad and broken meaning of terrorism as it is interpreted in the USA locally, nationally and internationally. I mean, what is the threat of Cuba to the US today? What is terrorism as applied to cops and prison guards in the USA? Talking about and working for change is never easy, however we approach it. But let's all keep going. Happy Holidays All.
Appreciate all of this Kamau.
If CEO homicides is what it takes to achieve universal health care, tell me where to aim. Those few lives will save thousands more.
I’m a paid OG subscriber and huge fan, grateful for your efforts to keep us informed and sane. I don’t see an email about a gift. As a former therapist I will testify to your sanity (adjusted to account for being a Black man) if your therapist needs backup:) Have you seen the 1971 interview between James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni? They debate/discuss the perils of being a Black man in our country. Kay O’Neill
Hi, Kay! Thanks for being a paid OG subscriber and apologies for the confusion! The "founding subscribers" are the folks who signed up for the "I'm Really With You" plan at $150/year. They get some extra perks on top of the other subscriber perks.
I appreciate you and this so very much. So glad to support you work
And as an “OG subscriber “ I’ll share I’ve not gotten an email yet
Hi, Melissa! Thanks for being a paid OG subscriber and apologies for the confusion! The "founding subscribers" are the folks who signed up for the "I'm Really With You" plan at $150/year. They get some extra perks on top of the other subscriber perks.
Kelly that’s for the clarification and in these times it’s all good on my end. Gosh this really is the last thing we need to be tho long about. We have to stay focused on care for each other. I’m wishing you all the best
I am so sorry I missed your concerts here in Nor Cal! I didn't know!! Please come back--or better, please come to Santa Cruz!
I’ve been a paid subscriber since last January. Does that make me a founding member? If so I didn’t get an email 😢
Hey, Robert! Thanks for being a paid OG subscriber and apologies for the confusion! The "founding subscribers" are the folks who signed up for the "I'm Really With You" plan at $150/year. They get some extra perks on top of the other subscriber perks.
Gotcha! Thanks for the reply. 😊
Kamau, much love to you and yours this holiday week, and always. Mental health is critical. I'm a psychiatrist and I've pushed back against Aetna for denying psychotherapy claims and wanting to see medical records to determine "medical necessity". It's absurd. This violates even the American Psychiatric Association's position statement on minimum necessary information to process claims. They just want to delay, deny, defend, etc. and are without regard for patients' well being or the doctor-patient relationship. A lot of doctors also voiced frustration after the killing of the CEO. More here -
https://www.medscape.com/s/viewarticle/physicians-offer-little-sympathy-slain-insurance-ceo-2024a1000mjv?src=mbl_msp_iphone&ref=text
Many physicians reacted with the opposite of sympathy to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson this week, reflecting pent-up frustration and anger over what they described as the health insurer's routine denials of care for sick or dying patients.
The shocking killing in New York City sparked a wave of antipathy from doctors and patients for the nation's largest health insurer, which Thompson had led since 2021. UnitedHealthcare, a division of the conglomerate UnitedHealth Group, insures about 50 million Americans and reported more than $281 billion in revenue in 2023. Thompson received compensation of more than $10 million in 2023.
"I'm waiting for a prior authorization before I shed any tears," wrote Reddit user KR1735, listed as an internal medicine doctor, on the subreddit r/medicine.
One physician online recalled fighting with UnitedHealthcare over its denial of the low-cost drug metformin. Another recalled the insurer requiring a peer-to-peer review for prescribing levodopa, "a drug so old it could join the AARP. The 'peer' I spoke with had never heard of Sinemet, Parkinson's, or the FDA," a Reddit user describing himself as a neurologist wrote.
Particularly on Reddit, comments were so scathing that the moderators of the leading medical subreddit deleted one thread about Thompson's slaying, the Daily Beast reported. But clinicians' harsh criticism of the CEO and UnitedHealthcare's practices continued throughout the week on Reddit and other social media platforms.
"If you're the CEO of one of the most comically evil companies in the US, you should be prepared for consequences, and the only surprise should be that this doesn't happen more often...the fact no one is sad speaks to the legacy left behind; hope the millions were worth it," wrote Reddit user ThucydidesButthurt, listed as an anesthesiologist, on a separate thread on r/medicine.
A few physicians took a more measured approach.
"While the murder of the UnitedHealthcare CEO is tragic, let's remember that thousands of Americans die every year when United denies coverage. Violence is never the answer, but we do need to find lawful ways to hold insurance executives accountable for their greed," wrote Bluesky user "Lisa, MD," on the social media platform.
'Deny' and 'Defend'
The words "deny," "defend," and "depose" were seen on shell casings at the crime scene, police said, echoing words used to describe how health insurers "delay," "deny," and "defend" to avoid paying for care in hopes of increasing profits. It's even the title of a 2010 book on the insurance industry.
UnitedHealthcare used algorithms to improperly deny mental health claims, a system three states deemed illegal, ProPublica reported. A STAT investigation found the insurer similarly used algorithms to deny rehabilitation care for its Medicare Advantage enrollees.
Earlier this year, an employee pension fund in Florida sued Thompson, UnitedHealth Group, and two other executives for alleged fraud and illegal insider trading, claiming that the executives did not disclose a federal antitrust investigation of the company, CNN reported.
While some physicians pointed to a chart showing that UnitedHealthcare denied nearly a third of all claims, more than other US insurers, comparing denial rates among insurers is challenging because insurers are largely not required to report them. Insurers offering Affordable Care Act plans on state exchanges are required to report claim denials for those plans to federal officials.
"What has bothered me the most is people that put fiduciary responsibility (eg, profits) above human lives, none more so than this company as run by him," wrote one Reddit user who identified himself as an MD otolaryngology professor. "When other's (sic) human lives are deemed worthless, it is not surprising to have others view your life of no value as well."
Thank you for your thoughts! I, too, have felt this incident has been more unifying than anything we have seen in a long time. It's a wonder to me that Universal Healthcare has not brought us together as citizens in the past - perhaps because no party *with money* has embraced it in their platform.
I'm curious what constitutes a founding subscriber. I know I was an early subscriber, but perhaps not early enough to be "founding" as I didn't receive an email.
Hi, Jackie! Thanks for being a paid OG subscriber and apologies for the confusion! The "founding subscribers" are the folks who signed up for the "I'm Really With You" plan at $150/year. They get some extra perks on top of the other subscriber perks.
Okay. Besides the fact that I appreciate and agree with every word you wrote (and have loved in past years seeing you in-person in Oakland), this got me:
". . . maybe we can get through 2025 in one piece. But we won’t do it if we continue to let money rule the country. We won’t do it if we continue to let the dividers divide us. And we won’t do it if we let the media dictate the conversation and serve as court stenographers for the wealthy. We have to pull together."
I want to send you my little book on stopping letting money rule the country via a movement for a nonviolent--but real--revolution. Endorsed by Cornel West, Joanna Macy, Clarence Thomas (not *that* Clarence Thomas, the veteran the ILWU organizer C.T.!) and others. Not naming the title or posting the Amazon link here because I'm not trying to advertise to your readers. But send me a message and we can arrange for me to pass it on to you. I think you'll like it, and you might be motivated to help it reach others who will make good use of it.
Blessings!
I don't get this. People are outraged that Brian Thompson's salary was $10m/year, but nobody has said a peep about the fact that Andrew Witty, who took over for him, makes over twice as much. And that's the LOW end of CEO pay in the US--the bottom of the top 100!