On Wednesday morning, we got the news: The CEO of United Healthcare had been shot in Manhattan. The public response was equally swift, and alarming: Some celebrated, turning the shooter into a folk hero; others were more measured, condemning the violence but saying that they understood why it had happened.
This response fascinated me. I wanted an expert to unpack it for me.
Of course, most of the people I reached out to declined. And I get it: It's a developing story — the motive may not be what everyone is assuming — and emotions are high. Professional researchers are cautious and want to wait for all the facts before weighing in, particularly on such a sensitive topic. (If I reached out to you, I hope you'll get back to me once you feel comfortable writing.)
But I was thrilled that Elliott S. Fisher of Dartmouth, who has written previously on greed in the health insurance industry, agreed to write. In an essay published Thursday night, he writes that some public rage against a broken system is understandable. "We let it happen," he writes. "By 'we,' I don't mean patients or the small businesses struggling to provide insurance for their employees. I mean the large organizations (businesses, universities) that have tried to cut a better deal for themselves while failing to see the larger system. I mean those of us working in health policy who have watched spending rise inexorably on our watch without questioning our assumptions. I mean myself. I was not paying attention while health care premiums in Vermont skyrocketed."
There will be much more on this story to come from First Opinion. As always, if you have ideas for essays or questions about the section, email me: first.opinion@statnews.com.
Recommendation of the week: I've been listening to the podcast "Ghost Church," about the early and modern days of American Spiritualism hosted by Jaime Loftus. It's sharply funny and balances skepticism with respect for her subject, a difficult balancing act. (And if you like "Ghost Church," check out the documentary "No One Dies in Lily Dale.")
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