More than 90,000 people mocked an online tribute to Brian Thompson with laughing emojis.

In the wake of the killing, widespread public animosity towards health insurers ― and UnitedHealthcare specifically ― may explain why the company quickly limited who could comment on their tribute to Thompson.

Still, people still found a way to express how they felt ― to the tune of more than 90,000 laughing reactions as of Friday.

  • malloc@lemmy.worldEnglish
    44·
    5 days ago

    This company is absolutely tone deaf to the animosity around the death of this company units CEO.

    For decades they have been the dealers of death across the United States through their “delay, deny, defend” industry policies. Historical, among the worst offenders of this practice and it shows in their stock price.

    So now they act shocked when 1 no name, piece of shit (he was behind the decision to use AI to deny claims…), rich cunt gets gunned down in the streets like a stray dog? To UHC, this should just be another business day, business as usual.

    Short term results of his death:

    • UNH stock dip
    • profit maximizing policies put on short hold across industry (already seen 1 company pull back changes on anesthesia limits)
    • “fear” lingering in the minds of health insurance executives

    Long term:

    • as stocks recover and new administration rolls in, policies re-instated
    • install new generic cookie cutter CEO
    • 24/7/365 armed security details provided to C-level executives, and ultimately whatever costs passed down to policy holders
    • wait for media cycle to end/move on
    • nothing changes for the people

    One thing I do notice is an increase in bi-partisanship around the death of this one person. If it gains enough traction beyond the memes, could this be the catalyst that unites the working class against the rich thus causing real and permanent change?

    One can hope, but I’m honestly not holding my breath.