Podcast Summary: Tangle – "The Healthcare CEO Shooting"

Release Date: December 9, 2024
Host: Isaac Saul

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Tangle, host Isaac Saul delves into the tragic assassination of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, exploring the multifaceted reactions and underlying societal issues that have surfaced in the wake of this event. Isaac sets the stage by outlining the episode's structure, promising an in-depth analysis that includes perspectives from across the political spectrum.

Main Story: The Healthcare CEO Shooting

At 06:33, host John Law provides a detailed account of the incident:

• Incident Overview: On Wednesday morning, around 6:45 AM ET, Brian Thompson was fatally shot outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel. Surveillance footage captured the assailant firing multiple shots before fleeing towards Central Park on a bicycle.

• Police Investigation: A comprehensive manhunt is underway, with police searching both land and water areas of Central Park. Two new photos of a person of interest were released, depicting a young white male from a nearby hostel (06:38-06:51).

• Public and Social Media Reaction: The assassination has sparked intense debate about the U.S. healthcare system. Shockingly, some social media users have expressed support for the shooter, linking the attack to broader grievances against insurance companies like UnitedHealthcare.

• Evidence and Motive Theories: Shell casings found at the scene bore the words "Delay, Deny, and Depose," echoing themes from a 2010 book critical of insurance company practices. This has fueled speculation that the motive may be tied to frustrations with healthcare policies (06:51-10:16).

Reactions from Across the Political Spectrum

Left-Leaning Perspectives

The left expresses a mix of sorrow over the loss of life and anger towards the healthcare industry's practices:

• Lisa Jarvis (Bloomberg): Highlights the deep-seated frustrations with the broken health insurance industry, stating, "If there's anything our fractured country seems to agree on, it's that the healthcare system is tragically broken and the companies profiting from it are morally bankrupt." (07:45)

• Zeynep Tufekce (New York Times): Emphasizes the societal discontent that the shooting reveals, noting, "The rage that people felt at the healthcare industry and the elation that they expressed at seeing it injured was widespread and organic." (09:15)

• Arwal Madawi (The Guardian): Points out the lack of sympathy for Thompson, attributing it to his role as the face of an unfair system. She asserts, "Murdering anyone is quite clearly wrong. But please spare me the pearl clutching... It was the face of an unfair system that has screwed millions of people over." (11:00)

These perspectives collectively argue that while the punishment of an individual is unjustifiable, the underlying systemic issues within the healthcare industry warrant serious attention and reform.

Right-Leaning Perspectives

Conversely, the right voices outrage over both the act and the reaction it has provoked:

• Dominic Pino (National Review): Condemns the glorification of violence against corporate executives, stating, "Nobody deserves to be murdered... The level of seething resentment some people seem to have of wealthy people is deeply unhealthy." (15:30)

• Kat Rosenfield (Free Press): Criticizes the progressive response, comparing the reaction to a "John Wick movie" and warning against scapegoating individuals for systemic issues. She remarks, "It's strangely soothing to imagine that every harm, every injustice can be traced back to the depravity of a single mustache twirling villain." (17:00)

• Cliff Smith (Deseret News): Discusses the dangerous mindset that justifies extreme actions based on grievances, urging for moral introspection. He warns, "Anger itself is not wrong, but it can lead us to doing wrong things... No amount of anger, justified or not, changes that." (18:45)

These viewpoints stress that endorsing or celebrating violence undermines societal stability and ethical standards, regardless of systemic frustrations.

Isaac Saul's Take

At 20:21, Isaac Saul shares a personal and reflective perspective on the incident:

• Personal Connection: Isaac recounts his mother's harrowing experience with the healthcare system, highlighting the intense emotional and physical toll it exacted on his family. He states, "Our system, in effect, had to torture her so she could get coverage."

• Critique of Public Reaction: He expresses shock at the rapid and widespread celebration of Thompson's death, emphasizing that most people, including himself, were unfamiliar with Thompson prior to the assassination. Isaac observes, "The fact that he led United Healthcare was enough for him to be deserving of death or unworthy of sympathy."

• Call for Constructive Change: Isaac argues that systemic reform is necessary and achievable through persistent advocacy and legislative action, rather than through violence. He warns against the normalization of extrajudicial actions, suggesting that such behavior could lead to further societal decay.

• Balanced Perspective: While acknowledging the legitimate grievances against the healthcare system, Isaac firmly rejects the notion that violence is an acceptable means of effecting change. He concludes, "Improving our healthcare system and our society more broadly is not going to start by shooting corporate leaders in the back."

Additional Segments

Numbers Section

John Law presents key statistics related to UnitedHealthcare and the broader healthcare landscape (25:00):

• Customer Base: UnitedHealthcare served approximately 52 million customers in 2023.
• Revenue: The company generated around $281 billion in revenue that year.
• Customer Satisfaction:
  • 84% of insured U.S. adults in good health rated their insurance provider positively.
  • 68% of those in fair or poor health held similar views.
• Insurance Challenges:
  • 58% of insured adults reported issues with their health insurance in the past year.
  • 16% experienced denied or delayed approvals for necessary care.
• Claims Data: In 2021, 48.3 million in-network claims were denied by Affordable Care Act Marketplace insurers, with only 0.2% appealed.

Under the Radar Story

John Law covers a significant political maneuver in North Carolina politics (27:00):

• Legislative Override: The Republican-controlled state Senate overrode Democratic Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill that would diminish the power of incoming Democrats in statewide offices.
• Bill Provisions: Includes shifting election appointment powers and restricting the Attorney General's legal positions, effectively limiting Democratic influence in future state governance.
• Political Implications: The bill's passage during a lame-duck session, disguised as a hurricane aid package, underscores strategic political tactics aimed at consolidating Republican control.

Have a Nice Day Story

A heartwarming tale is shared (28:00):

• Lynn Story's Community Service: Despite frequent car breakdowns, Lynn used her vehicle to assist neighbors needing rides for medical appointments and work.
• Corporate Recognition: David Kelleher, a car dealer, was moved by her efforts and arranged for her to receive a new car, showcasing the positive impact of community spirit and corporate goodwill.

Conclusion

In this thought-provoking episode, Tangle navigates the complex emotions and political tensions ignited by the assassination of a major healthcare executive. By presenting diverse viewpoints and a deeply personal perspective, Isaac Saul encourages listeners to reflect on the broader implications for society and the healthcare system. The episode underscores the necessity for constructive dialogue and systematic reform over destructive reactions, advocating for a more empathetic and rational approach to addressing deep-rooted issues.

Notable Quotes:

• Lisa Jarvis (Bloomberg) – [07:45]: "If there's anything our fractured country seems to agree on, it's that the healthcare system is tragically broken and the companies profiting from it are morally bankrupt."

• Zeynep Tufekce (New York Times) – [09:15]: "The rage that people felt at the healthcare industry and the elation that they expressed at seeing it injured was widespread and organic."

• Dominic Pino (National Review) – [15:30]: "Nobody deserves to be murdered... The level of seething resentment some people seem to have of wealthy people is deeply unhealthy."

• Kat Rosenfield (Free Press) – [17:00]: "It's strangely soothing to imagine that every harm, every injustice can be traced back to the depravity of a single mustache twirling villain."

• Cliff Smith (Deseret News) – [18:45]: "Anger itself is not wrong, but it can lead us to doing wrong things... No amount of anger, justified or not, changes that."

• Isaac Saul – [20:21]: "Improving our healthcare system and our society more broadly is not going to start by shooting corporate leaders in the back."

This summary encapsulates the key elements of the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened while maintaining the depth and engagement of the original content.