A message left at the scene of an insurance executive’s fatal shooting echoes a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims.

Summary

The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has drawn attention due to the phrase “deny, defend, depose” reportedly written on the shooter’s ammunition, echoing criticism of insurer practices like “delay, deny, defend.”

UnitedHealthcare, one of the largest U.S. health insurers, has faced scrutiny over claim denials and delays, including a Senate report highlighting issues with Medicare Advantage prior authorizations.

The killing has sparked public outrage and dark humor on social media, reflecting widespread frustration with health insurers, which many blame for rising healthcare costs and access barriers.

  • originalfrozenbanana@lemm.ee
    52·
    6 days ago

    If they catch this guy he will never see trial. No way they’d risk him getting up on the stand, and even less likely they’d want to try their luck getting twelve people to convict. He’ll go down in a hail of gunfire or get Epstein’d

    • kuato@lemmy.worldEnglish
      19·
      6 days ago

      No way they’d risk him getting up on the stand

      Defendants don’t get up on the stand if they want any chance of a not guilt verdict.

      and even less likely they’d want to try their luck getting twelve people to convict.

      It’s not so unlikely. It ought to be, but it isn’t.

      • originalfrozenbanana@lemm.ee
        6·
        6 days ago

        You think they’re willing to take the chance that the guy who assassinated a CEO with bullets with messages on them wouldn’t take the stand to deliver a monologue?

        • kuato@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          6 days ago

          Yes. I think your perspective is through Hollywood-tinted glasses. When was the last time something like that happened in real life and actually had devastating effects on the ruling class?

      • Manalith@midwest.social
        6·
        6 days ago

        Chances are they find someone they can pass off as him and then take him out publicly enough that everyone just accepts that it must’ve been the guy.

        Probably not the right call if this guy was planning to go vigilante and wasn’t just upset at a loss he had to endure specifically because of united.