The shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has sparked a significant conversation about the often callous nature of the US healthcare system. Evidence has been mounting that the way healthcare is provided in the country is costly in both financial and human terms. Executives in the health industry, including insurers, pharma, and hospitals, have become popular scapegoats.

Uncovering the Rotten Core of American Healthcare

The Morbid Sense of Inevitability

The shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was met with a sense of morbid inevitability by many online. The US healthcare system's callous nature has long been a topic of wide discussion. The health industry's executives have been blamed for various issues, and this shooting only added fuel to the fire.There is a growing realization that the healthcare system is in dire need of reform. The costs associated with healthcare are taking a toll on both individuals and the country as a whole.

The Killing and the Confirmation

On the same day as the shooting, news spread that a different insurer would restrict coverage for anesthesia during surgeries. This served as a confirmation of the public's perception that the healthcare industry is driven by profit rather than the well-being of patients.A health insurance executive is shot in New York City, and another insurer imposes a seemingly arbitrary limit on anesthesia coverage. These events highlight the deep-rooted problems in the healthcare system.

The Reality is Complicated

As Vox's Eric Levitz covered, the policy that restricted anesthesia coverage would not actually result in higher bills for patients. It is a form of cost control that policymakers often advocate for when public attention is elsewhere.However, public and political outrage did not stop to make this connection, and the insurer quickly reversed the policy. This shows the complexity of the healthcare issue and the need for a more comprehensive understanding.

The Rotten Core of American Healthcare

Putting all aspects of this tragic episode together reveals the rotten core of American healthcare. The cruelties of the US medical system and the ongoing blame game between private industries have left patients angry and confused.Patients are looking for someone to blame, but there is no one person or industry responsible for the failures of US healthcare. The finger-pointing is a distraction, and every party bears responsibility.

The Dawn of the Modern Healthcare System

At the dawn of the modern American healthcare system, private industries were allies. Physicians were fierce defenders of private insurance in the middle of the 20th century.The American Medical Association and its compatriots preferred private employer-sponsored insurance over a government program. They tolerated the creation of Medicare and Medicaid but opposed other reforms.

The Spiral of Rising Prices

Prices in the healthcare system have continued to spiral upward, accelerated by the aging of the baby boomers and costly advancements in medical science. Even for those with insurance, healthcare can be prohibitively expensive.Almost four in 10 Americans have skipped necessary medical care due to costs, and millions carry medical debts. This highlights the urgent need for reform.

The Political Realignment

The passage of Obamacare was a sign that the private sector's political grip was loosening. The Obama White House divided the industry against itself and targeted insurers and hospitals for cuts.The more recent Inflation Reduction Act allowed Medicare to negotiate drug prices, which was unthinkable a generation earlier. Lawmakers are continuing to look for ways to overhaul the healthcare system.

The Blame Game Among Industries

The insurer, pharma, and hospital industries are now against each other. Hospitals blame drug companies and insurers, drug companies blame insurers and hospitals, and insurers blame hospitals and drug companies.Patients blame everyone for the high costs and hassles of navigating the system. This misguided outrage leads to a stalemate and prevents meaningful reform.

The Scorn for Health Insurers

Health insurers have earned plenty of scorn. Before the ACA, they would refuse to cover people with expensive medical conditions. Even now, there are reports of new tactics to deny coverage.UnitedHealthcare has been the subject of recent ProPublica exposés for using algorithms to deny mental health services claims. This shows the need for stricter regulations.

The Criticisms of Drugmakers

Drugmakers also face criticism. They have some valid points about how other entities pilfer money in the drug reimbursement process, but they also overstate the need for high prices.They exploit loopholes in patent law to keep their monopolies on popular medications. This highlights the need for better oversight in the drug industry.

The Justifiable Complaints of Providers

Health insurers' deployment of networks to restrict coverage has led to justifiable complaints from providers. Prior authorization and other bureaucratic hurdles make it difficult for them to provide care.US doctors make more but also spend more time and money on administrative tasks. This shows the need for a more efficient healthcare system.

The Frustration of the Public

The healthcare industry enjoyed a brief spike in popularity during the pandemic but has since seen its approval rating fall. Only 18 percent of the public views the pharmaceutical industry favorably.Most people are happy with their insurance plans but are less likely to approve if they have high bills. The No Surprises Act was a sign of the industry's political clout softening.

The Progress and the Need for More

There has been some progress in reducing the uninsured rate, but much more work needs to be done. Medicare can negotiate drug prices, but there are still challenges.Every sector demands reform, and it will require cutting through the industry's finger-pointing. Only by looking at the system as a whole can we save this system.