Most Americans see health insurance profits and coverage denials as contributing factors in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, though they assign primary responsibility to the person who pulled the trigger, according to a new poll.
The survey, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, found that about 8 in 10 U.S. adults believe the individual who committed the Dec. 4 murder bears "a great deal" or "a moderate amount" of responsibility. However, public attention has also turned to broader systemic issues.
The suspect, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, has been cast by some as a symbol of frustration with insurance companies following his arrest. Police say ammunition found at the scene was marked with the words "delay," "deny," and "depose," reflecting criticisms of insurer tactics to avoid paying claims. UnitedHealthcare stated that Mangione was not one of their clients.
Approximately 7 in 10 adults attribute at least "a moderate amount" of responsibility to health insurance companies' denial of care and profit motives. Younger Americans, in particular, view Thompson’s death as the result of multiple factors, not solely the act of the shooter.
The story has captured widespread attention, with 7 in 10 respondents saying they had read or heard "a lot" or "some" about Thompson's death. Opinions on the causes vary. While half of respondents assign at least moderate blame to income inequality, fewer believe political divisions in the U.S. played a significant role.
Patients and physicians have long voiced frustration over insurance coverage denials, especially for critical illnesses like cancer or ALS. Critics argue that insurers prioritize profits over patient care. UnitedHealthcare, for instance, reported over $16 billion in profit last year on $281 billion in revenue. The company asserts that it pays about 90% of medical claims submitted, though it has not disclosed the total number of claims processed.
Younger Americans are particularly critical. Around 7 in 10 adults aged 18 to 29 say health insurance profits and coverage denials share as much responsibility for Thompson’s death as the shooter. This group is also the least likely to place the majority of blame on the perpetrator, with only 4 in 10 assigning them "a great deal" of responsibility, compared to 6 in 10 among those aged 30 to 59, and 8 in 10 among those over 60.
In addition, about two-thirds of younger respondents cite wealth or income inequality as a contributing factor. They are also more likely than older adults to blame the media, with 54% doing so compared to roughly one-third of older age groups.
Frustrations with health insurers and the broader U.S. healthcare system remain widespread. Roughly 3 in 10 Americans reported experiencing issues with insurance coverage in the past year, including difficulties finding in-network providers, claim denials, or challenges obtaining prior authorization for care. Such struggles are more common among Americans under 60.
Insurers argue that prior authorizations help reduce waste and ensure patients know whether their care will be covered upfront. However, roughly 3 in 10 respondents also reported that immediate family or close friends faced similar insurance challenges over the past year. Younger adults, who are also the most likely to lack health insurance, reported these issues at higher rates.
