Ex-insurance exec on public rage after CEO’s death

Former health insurance company executive Wendell Potter explains why he understands the rage toward health insurance companies amid the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO and details why he walked away from his six-figure salary at Cigna.

[merlinstwin]

I don’t condone murder, but a CEO making $10 million a year in Sal, perks and stocks because he saved money denying claims is obscene. He and his family lived like oligarchs while people begged for coverage, suffered and died. It’s hard to work up sympathy. We need a single payer system.

[sharonmassey]

Someone said, "There is nothing healthy about being well-adjusted to a sick society." A for-profit healthcare business is one measure of a truly sick society.

[inala]

The rage is ....we pay our medical premiums every paycheck without fail, but the insurance companies find every loophole to get out of helping us get well when we need them. We are sick and tired and getting sick of their greed. Murder is not the answer, but these insurance companies are getting richer, and we are getting sicker. How many people did they let DIE because they were denied healthcare.

[bethmcgill]

But republicans stood in the way of universal health care. On the other hand, the compensation of CEOs of most companies, is obscene

[josephgomes]

I'm very surprised that it took THIS long for someone to finally SNAP. It's time for INSURANCE companies to GET OUT of HEALTHCARE.

[simplicity]

ALL insurance in this country is horrible, uncaring, highest profits focused. Yes, you lost a CEO, but how many insured people have lost someone due to the insurance companies? Thousands!!

[silviavousden]

I live in the UK. The NHS is not perfect, but I have NEVER been denied the health care I needed. I pay for it through National Insurance contributions, and my employer pays a portion, too. I have had operations and hospital stays that would have cost a fortune in the USA. I almost died of sepsis, and the NHS saved me. I am fully recovered and back at work. I have never had to pay a hospital bill. My health care is free at the point of need. Why do Americans accept their horribly inadequate system?

[jponeill]

"It's unfortunate because we've lost a life." How many lives have been lost to denied claims?

[jjmarz]

'We've lost a life'??. You lost millions of lives to line your pockets. You didn't notice any of those?

[morrispartow]

Many lives were lost due to greed, not just one life.

[carolemiller]

Rage is legit and has been bottled up far too

[deborahbaratti]

These insurance companies had better LISTEN UP. The American people are fed up.

[benjamindover]

I worked for a large national insurer and watched first hand how their processes delayed a woman’s cancer treatment. Their cost cutting delayed her treatment that was already approved. Her doctor said the delay was a direct result of her diminished chances at life saving treatment. Guess what? She died.

Then had a guy who looked just like this dude who gave two 💩s about a man elderly woman who couldn’t afford her deductible for insulin. Her husband begged us to help. The guy who looked like this dude had my director reprimand me for asking him if we had solutions because in another company we had programs to help.

He was also the person who used temp labor that resulted in the woman’s delayed care. And probably her death. But guess what his bonus was sick pun intended. Probably in the neighborhood of 20 or 30k if not more.

[biniyamkebede]

The rage is not just against the Health Insurance Companies but Corporate America in general

[lesliepavelko]

This is so true. Frustrated at the greed, disrespect, and loss of honor ACROSS THE BOARD.

[dcam]

Finally, someone in the industry who admits it I worked in the insurance industry for 25 years. Doctors should be in charge of patient's health and if a doctor says you need something you should not have to fight to have it done or get it approved. If a doctor says you need it it should be covered end of story.

[keneberhardt]

Leaving all the healthcare systems to the private sector is a governmental mistake. The Healthcare of a nation should be government oriented. The public sector should just come to support it. Same as education and housing. For a country to succeed, the education, health and education must be government driven. The public sector should be encouraged to come in and offer support. Leaving it to business orientation is causing more harm to the citizens.

[nope--x]

Finally theyre covering the real story. Its insulting when they avoid it.

[paultoensing]

This murder wasn’t about the man. It was about the business model. It’s just business.

[MyraJewels]

The more aggressive the health insurance industry gets to prevent paying for someone’s health needs the less compassion corporate America will get from “We the people”.