Summary

Americans’ dissatisfaction with the U.S. health care system has reached new highs, with majorities deeming it “poor” and accusing private insurers of lack of transparency, denied claims, and unaffordable costs.

This outrage was starkly evident in public reactions to the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, where social media erupted in mockery and shared horror stories of insurers’ practices.

The incident highlights deep, bipartisan resentment of the profit-driven system.

Critics argue this public anger debunks claims that Americans “love” private insurance, presenting a missed political opportunity for Medicare for All advocates.

  • MyTurtleSwimsUpsideDown@fedia.io
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    Critics argue this public anger debunks claims that Americans “love” private insurance, presenting a missed political opportunity for Medicare for All advocates.

    Very few Americans “love” their private healthcare. Those that oppose government funded healthcare simply fear that they will lose what little control they have left.

    • CosmicTurtle0@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      I’ll admit: I actually like my insurance. I work for a Fortune 100 company and our benefits are very nice. My insurance covers just about everything I needed it to and more. It’s fucking amazing.

      EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THIS INSURANCE!!!

      It fucking shouldn’t be tied to my employer! I absolutely hate the fact that there is a gatekeeper between the public at large and decent health insurance.

      My largest concern over a government run health insurance is that it will be used as a political sword. Republicans control Congress? Say goodbye to abortions and gender affirming care being covered. Hell, say goodbye to healthcare covering anything if you don’t submit to a drug test.

      • subignition@fedia.io
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        republicans are already trying to make those things federally illegal regardless of insurance. No reason to hesitate on a public option when it’s already weaponized. Not like private insurers will cover care if it’s been banned

      • ByteJunk@lemmy.world
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        EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THIS INSURANCE!!!

        Bro out here imagining like, this nation wide health plan. Next he’ll be like “why don’t we cut out the middle man and just have the gov provide it?”

        Damn commies, I’m onto you

        /s just in case

  • atro_city@fedia.io
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    Best thing they could do is vote for a president and party who hate socialised healthcare. Genius.

      • crusa187
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        The right choice for healthcare is a new party that is actually left of center.

        • Hildegarde@lemmy.world
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          so what will this new party do to be successful that the greens, libritarians, and democratic socialist parties were unable or unwilling to do?

          There have been other parties on the ballots, and they always do poorly. How can we make this an exception?

          • crusa187
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            2 days ago

            Honestly I’m not sure, but it wouldn’t be the first time a new party has emerged in this country so surely there is a way. I think one of the keys will be to no longer rely on traditional media, they’re clearly vested in maintaining the status quo.

            Consider the success of Arab Spring a few years ago. This is why musk Twitter takeover and the bipartisan threat to TikTok is so dangerous, because it further atomizes people and prevents us from organizing on those platforms.

    • neidu3@sh.itjust.works
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      Is it, though? Wetness is a property of something that has water (or similar fluid) on it… in my mind water being wet is like sayng bacteria being infected.

  • IninewCrow@lemmy.ca
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    Yeah … let’s build a health insurance system where people pay a leech middleman to pay for their hospital system. Hospital services are expensive anyway but you half to pay a mafia on top of it all and if you don’t the mafia get to break your knees … or your family’s knees. And everyone keeps arguing that this is better and more acceptable than publicly funded health care.

  • Jo Miran
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    i don’t mind paying extra for “private tier” healthcare (nicer beds, short waits, etc), but I need for all care to be available via public funding. I should not have to face financial ruin just because of sickness or injury.

    • brucethemoose@lemmy.world
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      There is something to be said for all the research that comes out of the US biomedical industry, that other countries enjoy. Privatization is a big part of that.

      But it does not have to be tied to bad incentives and leeches sucking on the system so much. The waste is mind boggling, and someone is paying for it, either through taxes, national debt or massive patient costs.

  • Schal330@lemmy.world
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    I find this interesting, in the UK we have the NHS, which is considered to be in a poor state but something everyone knows to be an essential service. From my experience private healthcare (via BUPA) has provided a much better experience not just in how quickly you are seen but the bedside manners of the doctors and how comfortable you are made through the whole thing.

    I wonder if it is the presence of the NHS that has forced private providers to go a step above? Would the introduction of that baseline cause the American insurance providers to improve?

    • edric@lemm.ee
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      I feel like it won’t. With how the rich control most things, having a two-tiered system just means public healthcare will be eventually neglected because there is “better” option. If you have a single payer system, the rich and powerful are forced to use it, therefore have the incentive to make it good.