In the wake of this shooting incident, many politicians and industry officials expressed shock and sympathy.
“I am heartbroken and shocked by the death of my friend Brian Thompson,” said Michael Tuffin, chairman of insurance industry group Ahip.
“He was a devoted father, a good friend to many, and a refreshingly honest colleague and leader.”
UnitedHealth Group said in a statement that it has received many messages of support from “patients, consumers, healthcare professionals, associations, government officials and other caring people.”
But many people, including UnitedHealthcare customers and users of other insurance services, reacted differently online.
These reactions ranged from caustic jokes (one common joke was “thoughts and prior approval,” using the phrase “thoughts and prayers”) to comments about the number of insurance claims denied by UnitedHealthcare and other companies.
In one extreme case, industry critics pointed out that they felt no pity for Thompson. Some people even celebrated his death.
The online outrage seemed to bridge the political divide.
Hostility was expressed from avowed socialists to right-wing activists suspicious of the so-called “deep state” and corporate power. There have also been cases where ordinary people have shared stories of their treatment claims being denied by insurance companies.
People’s Action’s Montes-Irueste said she was shocked by news of the killings.
He said his group campaigned in a ‘non-violent and democratic’ way, but added that he understood online distress.
“We have a fractured and broken health care system, and that’s why people who are experiencing that broken system in different ways are expressing very strong emotions right now,” he said.
Tuffin, president of the Health Insurance Association, condemned all threats against his colleagues, describing them as “mission-driven professionals committed to providing insurance and care as affordable as possible.”
