Insurance, disease, and murder

Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth's insurance unit, was assassinated in a targeted attack on December 4, 2024, outside a New York hotel as he was heading to an investor conference. The assailant, described as skilled in firearm use, lay in wait and shot Thompson with a weapon equipped with a silencer. The shooting has led to an extensive manhunt by police. The motive is still under investigation but suggested to be linked to his role in the health insurance industry. Bullet casings at the scene bore inscriptions like 'deny,' 'defend,' and 'depose,' hinting at a motive related to insurance practices. These appear to be references to a well-known book on the health insurance industry, 'Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It'. The title is self-explanatory. The incident has triggered discussions on the broader implications of insurance