How would you feel knowing your insurance company, not your doctor, had the final say over your health? That’s what many Americans have faced—and still face—daily.
In the United States, health insurance isn't just a service—it's a lifeline. Yet, for millions of Americans, that lifeline often feels more like a frayed rope. When Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, passed away suddenly in 2024, it sparked a wave of scrutiny not just on the company but on the entire US healthcare system.
Thompson’s death brought fresh attention to issues many already knew but had no solutions for: rising costs, health insurance denials, and glaring inequities. His death peeled back the layers of a deeply flawed system, raising uncomfortable questions: Why are patients left fighting for life-saving treatments? How did we get here? And most importantly, where do we go from here?
What Brian Thompson’s Leadership Meant to Healthcare
Brian Thompson led UnitedHealthcare during one of the most tumultuous times in recent memory. Healthcare spending was ballooning, public trust in insurance companies was eroding, and patient dissatisfaction reached all-time highs. His company—responsible for insuring millions—was often caught in the crosshairs of these frustrations.
Under Thompson’s leadership, UnitedHealthcare expanded its reach and grew its profits. But this came at a cost. Patients frequently found their insurance claims denied for treatments deemed "non-essential," even when their doctors insisted otherwise.
The Reed Family: Crowdfunding or Death?
Consider the heart-wrenching case of Eli and Easton Reed, twin boys diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at birth in 2024. Their survival hinged on Zolgensma, a one-time gene therapy costing $2.5 million per dose. Despite the drug being FDA-approved for their condition, their insurance provider denied coverage, citing "policy restrictions."
The Reed family was left to rely on crowdfunding, their plea going viral as millions watched a family reduced to begging for their children's lives. By the time the funds were raised, the delay in treatment had already caused irreparable damage
The Price of Cancer Treatment: A Deadly Denial
A woman being prepared for a biopsy | National Cancer Institute via Unsplash
Take another case—an Illinois woman battling brain cancer. Her doctor prescribed proton beam therapy, a cutting-edge treatment with fewer side effects than conventional radiation. Her insurance company denied the claim, deeming it "experimental," despite evidence to the contrary.
Left with no options, she endured traditional radiation, which left her with debilitating side effects and accelerated her decline. She passed away, leaving behind a family devastated not just by her loss but by a system that failed her when she needed it most.
These stories aren’t anomalies; they are symptoms of a larger problem—a profit-driven industry that places bottom lines above patient welfare. Denials like this reveal how health insurance denial practices devalue human life in favor of financial metrics, underscoring the urgent need for reform.
Why the U.S. Healthcare System Is a Mess
If you’ve ever tried to figure out why U.S. healthcare feels broken, it boils down to three key problems: cost, access, and fairness.
1. Rising Costs
Healthcare in America is expensive—eye-wateringly so. In 2023, total healthcare spending reached $4.3 trillion, and it’s only climbing. Prescription drugs, hospital bills, and premiums are outpacing wages, leaving families with impossible choices: groceries or insulin? Rent or chemotherapy? This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a crisis for millions of households.
2. Barriers to Access
Even if you can afford healthcare, good luck finding it. In rural America, hospitals are shutting down, and doctor shortages are becoming critical. The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts up to 124,000 fewer physicians than needed by 2034. That means fewer appointments, longer wait times, and worsening health outcomes for people who are already struggling to get care.
3. Inequities That Hurt the Most Vulnerable
Race, income, and zip code shouldn’t determine your health—but in America, they do. Marginalized communities consistently see worse outcomes because of systemic issues like poverty, lack of insurance, and fewer healthcare resources in their neighborhoods. This is not just a moral failing; it’s an epidemic of unfairness.
UnitedHealthcare and the Problem of Denials
UnitedHealthcare | YT
Let’s talk about health insurance denials, one of the most painful realities for insured Americans. Under Thompson’s leadership, UnitedHealthcare became a poster child for these practices. Patients often found themselves stuck in endless bureaucratic red tape. A life-saving treatment?
Delayed or outright denied. In 2021, Medicare Advantage plans managed by insurers like UnitedHealthcare denied 6% of prior authorization requests—and many were overturned only after appeals.
This isn’t just inconvenient; it’s life-threatening. Delayed approvals can worsen conditions, increase costs, and even lead to preventable deaths. Critics say these practices prioritize profits over people—a claim UnitedHealthcare has always denied but has struggled to disprove.
What Needs to Change: A Path Forward
If there’s one thing Thompson’s death has made clear, it’s this: the U.S. healthcare system isn’t working, and small fixes won’t cut it. Real change needs bold action. Here’s where reform could start:
1. Stop the Denials
Insurance companies must be held accountable for unnecessary denials. Federal legislation could enforce stricter oversight, ensuring patients receive timely, necessary care without jumping through hoops.
2. Transparency is Key
Patients deserve clear, straightforward explanations about what their plans cover and why. This would reduce surprise bills and help people make informed decisions about their healthcare.
3. Expand Telehealth
One of the few positives from the COVID-19 pandemic was the rise of telehealth. Virtual doctor visits could be a lifeline for rural and underserved areas where access is limited.
4. Address Inequities
Reforming healthcare isn’t just about fixing insurance. It’s about tackling root causes—like poverty and housing—that lead to poorer health outcomes. Social programs addressing these factors can close the equity gap.
A System in Crisis, A Moment for Change
Health professional attending to a family | Unsplash
Brian Thompson’s death is more than a headline; it’s a chance to ask hard questions about the system he helped lead. Why does healthcare feel so unreachable for so many? Why do patients have to fight so hard for basic care? These are questions we can’t afford to ignore.
America’s healthcare system isn’t just in crisis—it’s at a crossroads. Will industry leaders and policymakers seize this moment to create a more equitable and effective system? Or will we keep watching families struggle under the crushing weight of medical bills and denials?