Deny. Defend. Depose.

For Profit photo by: George-Pagan III  Unsplash

You've seen it. The New York shooting dominating headlines, plastered all over social media. And the internet? It's not holding back:

• "Thoughts and prayers are on hold pending payment of a $3,500 deductible and a claim review."

• "Were the gunshot wounds a pre-existing condition?"

• "Sorry, this is out of network. We can’t help you."

The biting commentary isn’t just dark humor—it’s collective fury. For many Americans crushed under the weight of medical debt and denied care, this moment feels less like a murder mystery and more like a damn referendum.

Luigi Mangione: Murderer or Robin Hood?

Who is this guy? The “smiling assassin” plastered across surveillance footage, grinning like he’s on vacation, who, in an act of vigilante justice, gunned down Brian Thompson—the Quarter Zip-wearing CEO of the largest health insurer in the country?

It looks like his name is Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old from Maryland

Some call him a murderer; others see him as a Robin Hood figure. One thing’s clear: Mangione struck a raw nerve.

On December 4th, at 6:48 a.m., Luigi checked into a NYC hostel, charming the desk clerk who asked him to “see his pretty smile.” Hours later, Thompson was dead, killed on his way to report record-breaking profits to wealthy investors. The bullets left behind were inscribed with a grim parody of the insurance industry’s unofficial mantra: Delay. Deny. Defend.

For millions of Americans, Luigi’s actions didn’t come out of nowhere—they came from a place of desperation and rage.

Public Outrage

Social media exploded with comments like: “Not only would I not turn him in, I would offer shelter if he needed it.”

Even UnitedHealthcare’s somber Facebook post couldn’t escape the vitriol. Their statement—calling Thompson a "respected colleague and friend"—was met with over 77,000 laughing reactions, compared to fewer than 3,000 sad emojis. Comments were relentless:

• "When you shoot one man in the street, it's murder. When you kill thousands of people in hospitals by taking away their ability to get treatment, you're an entrepreneur."

This commentary isn’t about celebrating violence—it’s about desperation. It’s about people so fed up with being exploited, ignored, and denied basic dignity that they see no other way to push back.  I’ve found my own emotional reaction to the shooting confusing. I don’t condone murder by any means—but I get it. 

When a reporter asked if Thompson had enemies, it felt like the punchline to a bad joke. Enemies?
Millions of denied claims. Millions of bankruptcies. Millions of lives lost because UnitedHealthcare put profits over people. He had a goddamn army of them.

Monopoly: The Railroad Barrons. Photo by:@joshua_hoehne Unsplash

Monopoly as a Metaphor for Power and Control

UnitedHealthcare isn’t just a company; it’s a monopoly in the making, controlling every link in the healthcare chain. Patients and providers are trapped in a system that cares about profits above all else. As Senator Elizabeth Warren put it, “UnitedHealth is a monopoly on steroids…allowing it to jack up prices, hide revenues, and pressure doctors to put profits ahead of patients.”

Under Brian Thompson’s leadership, UHC doubled down on their questionable practices, driving profits from $12 billion to $16 billion annually. Thompson wasn’t doing too bad himself either —making over $10 million a year, plus stock options, and likely enjoying top-tier health insurance. He lived a life far, far removed from the struggles of millions of policyholders who are left navigating a completely broken system.

I’ve seen their tactics firsthand. I’ve been grilled by mental health overlords questioning the validity of therapy services, but nothing beats the clawbacks. Nearly a year after multiple sessions I’d already been paid for, UHC demanded I pay back $1,500. No recourse. No appeal. Just a cold letter suggesting I charge the client directly. Hell no. Writing that check nearly made me sick, but what choice did I have? They clawed it straight out of my hands and back into their coffers

The Monopoly money found in the suspect’s backpack speaks volumes. It’s a biting critique of a rigged game where profits outweigh human lives. For many Americans, this wasn’t just an act of violence; it was a grim reckoning—a message that enough is enough.

A System Designed to Break People

Medical bankruptcy is the leading cause of financial ruin in the U.S. In the wealthiest country on Earth, you can lose everything simply because you get sick.

I don’t have to imagine it—I lived it. In 2001, a horse accident left me disabled for several years. By 2005, after multiple surgeries, I was learning how to walk again—while going bankrupt at the same time.

The shame of losing everything—not because you were reckless or irresponsible, but because the system failed you—is something no one prepares you for. It’s not just financial; it’s deeply personal.

This isn’t just about my story. UHC denies 32% of claims—double the industry average. These aren’t just numbers; they’re lives. How many families are mourning loved ones who died after being denied life-saving treatments? How many avoided the ER because of money? God forbid a child breaks a leg. Every visit to the doctor, every medical intervention can easily become an emotional and financial landmine.

The Bigger Threat

Here’s the part that keeps me up at night: what happened with UnitedHealthcare is just the tip of the iceberg. The upcoming administration isn’t just sitting by while the system stays broken—they’re actively planning to make it worse.

The ACA is first on the chopping block. It’s the law that has protected people with pre-existing conditions, saved countless lives —and they’re coming for it.  20 MILLION people signed up for the ACA in 2024.

If the ACA goes, so do protections for pre-existing conditions. So do subsidies for millions of families. Premiums will skyrocket, and people like me—especially self-employed people—will be back to paying over $1,000 a month, possibly going bankrupt or getting denied outright. I’ve lived all of it.

RFK Jr. and Musk, the billionaire "first buddy," are openly talking about slashing government spending - and it’s usually Medicare and Social Security that are first in line.  Two programs that are literal lifelines for millions of people—gone or gutted. Families already struggling might be left to support aging parents and others who rely on these benefits.  In an interview today on Meet The Press, Trump doubled down on his plan to gut the ACA, saying “It’s lousy.”

It’s not just cruel; it could be fucking catastrophic.

What’s Next?

If you’re angry, good. Stay angry. Use that rage to fight back. Call your representatives. Demand accountability. Educate the people around you—because trust me, a lot of them have no idea what’s coming.

This isn’t just about one company or one CEO. It’s about the broader system that prioritizes profits over people and the incoming administration that seems determined to strip away the protections we’ve fought for. Healthcare, queer rights, Medicare, the ACA, reproductive rights—none of it is safe.

I see the fallout from this broken system every day in my clients: highly sensitive professionals, perfectionists, and overachievers who are buckling under the weight of impossible expectations and systemic failures. They come to me burned out, anxious, and feeling like it’s their fault they can’t keep it all together. Spoiler: it’s not.

Here’s what you can do right now:

Call Your Representatives: Whether it feels futile or not, they need to hear from us. Demand they protect the ACA, Medicare, and Social Security. Use your voice to push back against corporate greed and legislative attacks.

Find your representatives and their contact information here.

Educate and Engage: Talk to your friends and family. A lot of people don’t realize how interconnected these systems are or what’s at stake. And let’s be real—some still don’t know the ACA is the same thing as Obamacare. Conversations can change minds.

But Most of All, Listen: I know, it sounds counterintuitive when everything inside you is screaming. But this isn’t the time to unleash that rage—it’s time to tap into something that can be harder: empathy.

Have a conversation with Uncle Bob, or Aunt Whoever. Listen to why they voted for Trump. Not to argue, but to understand. People don’t change their minds because of facts; they change because of emotions. Instead of talking about policies, talk about people - your people. Pull them into a conversation about real, human lives.

Will this be easy? Hell no. But can it make a difference? Yes, absolutely.

Our anger isn’t a burden—it’s fuel. And while this post has focused on what’s broken, my next one will dig into something harder but just as essential: hope. Hope isn’t always neat or easy, but it’s what gets us through.

Disclaimer

My blog posts are my reflections and thoughts on mental health topics and do not replace therapy or getting support from a licensed mental health professional. The advice provided is general in nature and may not be suitable for everyone. If you are experiencing mental health issues, please seek personalized assistance from a qualified professional.

All rights reserved: Tori Corbett Counseling 2024