In a country where medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy, it’s no surprise that the public’s frustration with the healthcare system has reached a boiling point. Recently, a disturbing surge of online rhetoric has focused on the deceased CEO of UnitedHealthcare, with some going as far as to celebrate or condone violent action. While such responses are unequivocally unacceptable, they are a symptom of a deeper malaise: the widespread despair and anger stemming from a healthcare system that feels rigged against ordinary people.

Adding to this tension is the uncertainty of 2024’s election year.  Daniel P. Ray, CEO of PinnacleQuote, notes that the middle class should look to what will change in tax policies, healthcare economics and job markets. These areas could have the “most immediate and the most far-reaching impact on household finances.” The incoming presidential administration has made healthcare cost reduction a central focus, but many fear that these changes could deepen inequities rather than solve them. With proposed cuts to federal healthcare funding and potential policy shifts on the horizon, markets are jittery, and everyday Americans are bracing for more financial instability.

In this article we will examine the root causes of this public outrage, explore why the healthcare debate feels like class warfare, and offers constructive solutions for those grappling with burdensome medical expenses and insurance failures.

The Boiling Point 

Why 2024 feels like a breaking point

The financial climate of 2024 has created the perfect storm. Inflation continues to eat away at household incomes, wages have remained stagnant, and medical costs are soaring. For the average American, even with health insurance, the reality of a sudden illness or injury can mean financial ruin. It's not a stretch to tie the lack of awareness about money among the public into the mix as a contributing factor.

Meanwhile, the incoming administration has promised to “streamline healthcare spending,” a phrase that many interpret as code for cutting critical programs. Speculation over reductions to Medicaid, Medicare, and subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans has left millions uncertain about access to healthcare and their future. Market analysts note that this uncertainty has already caused shifts in the stock prices of major healthcare companies, with UnitedHealthcare among the most affected.

UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest insurer, embodies this frustration. In 2023 alone, the company posted over $324 billion in revenue, with its CEO earning tens of millions in total compensation. Meanwhile, patients face denied claims, limited networks, and skyrocketing out-of-pocket costs. These issues are all too common and leave the most vulnerable feeling helpless after they placed their trust in the Healthcare system. Stories like Maria Lopez’s have become all too common: after a car accident, her insurer denied coverage for physical therapy deemed “not medically necessary,” leaving her $15,000 in debt. “Why do we even have insurance if it doesn’t protect us?” she asks. Her anger is shared by millions who feel trapped in a system that prioritizes profit over people.

The Myth of Choice in Healthcare 

When “options” only add confusion

For years, insurers have marketed their plans as offering “choice.” But for most Americans, this choice is an illusion. Plans are riddled with fine print, limited networks, and deductibles so high they might as well not exist. Patients often have no idea how much a treatment will cost until they receive the bill. Take the case of Steve Johnson, who needed urgent surgical care at an in-network hospital, only to find out afterward that the anesthesiologist was out of network. His medical bill easily tipped the scales at over $15,000. Situations like Steve’s highlight how insurance companies profit from confusion and lack of transparency.

Meanwhile, the few who can afford concierge care or premium plans note a vastly different experience—one that feels more like healthcare should. This divide exacerbates feelings of inequality, leaving most Americans wondering: Why can’t healthcare work for everyone?

Policy debates this election year have further amplified these frustrations. While some candidates advocate for universal healthcare models, others propose privatization or new restrictions on federal healthcare spending. These opposing visions leave voters feeling like they are trapped in the middle, unsure which future will better serve their needs.

Class Warfare Revisited 

The growing gap between profit and patient care

Public anger toward corporate healthcare is not new, but it has intensified in recent years as wealth inequality reached historic levels. It's no wonder why some cling to the phrase "The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer" out of frustration. The top 1% control more wealth than the bottom 90%, and CEO pay continues to skyrocket even as workers struggle. In this context, the healthcare system serves as a stark reminder of inequality.  UnitedHealthcare’s profits, juxtaposed against patients’ suffering, deservingly or not make it a potent symbol of class warfare. Similar moments of unrest have occurred throughout history, from the labor strikes of the Industrial Revolution to the Occupy Wall Street movement. Today’s healthcare outrage feels like a continuation of this struggle, with ordinary people fighting for dignity and fairness in a system that seems indifferent to their pain.

The Danger of Violent Rhetoric 

Why channeling anger into action is critical

The rise in extreme rhetoric around healthcare executives is deeply troubling. While the frustration is understandable, calls for violence are not only morally wrong but counterproductive. Such rhetoric risks overshadowing the real issues and undermining the push for systemic reform.  This is especially true in an election year, where the focus must be on shaping policies and holding candidates accountable. Channeling anger into advocacy and voting for leaders who prioritize healthcare reform can lead to meaningful change. Sadly, the values and policy initiatives of the incoming administration don't appear to line up in support of these lofty goals.

Real change comes not from destruction but from collective action. Movements like Medicare for All and efforts to increase transparency in medical pricing have shown that public pressure can lead to progress. Channeling anger into advocacy is the best way to create a system that works for everyone.

What Needs to Change? 

Bold reforms and patient-first solutions

Fixing America’s broken healthcare system will require bold solutions that some may find extreme: 

Policy Reform: Support initiatives like Medicare for All or expanded Medicaid to provide universal coverage.

Transparency in Pricing: Advocate for legislation requiring hospitals and insurers to disclose costs upfront.

Regulating Executive Pay: Push for caps on CEO salaries and bonuses tied to patient outcomes, not profits.

Grassroots Advocacy: Join or donate to organizations fighting for healthcare reform, such as Healthcare-NOW or the Physicians for a National Health Program.

Solutions and Resources for Individuals

What to do if you’re struggling now

If you’re dealing with large healthcare costs or unhappy with your current plan, here are some actions you could take for relief:

• Negotiate Medical Bills

Many hospitals offer financial assistance programs or allow you to negotiate bills. Websites like GoodRx Health and FairHealth can help estimate reasonable costs.

• Explore Alternative Insurance Options

Consider healthcare cost-sharing ministries or plans through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, which may offer subsidies.

• Utilize Nonprofits and Assistance Programs

Organizations like the HealthWell Foundation and NeedyMeds provide grants or discounts for medical expenses.

Take Advantage of Free or Low-Cost Clinics. Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) offer services on a sliding scale. Visit HRSA.gov to locate a clinic near you.

• Review Legal Protections Against Medical Debt

No Surprises Act: This federal law, effective in 2022, protects patients from surprise medical bills for emergency services and certain out-of-network care. If you receive a surprise bill, dispute it through your insurance company or file a complaint with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA): If a debt collector harasses you over medical bills, you can report them to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). State-Level Protections: Some states cap the interest rates or set limits on how hospitals can pursue medical debt collections. Check your state’s attorney general’s office for details.

• Seek Relief Programs for Medical Debt

Medical Debt Forgiveness: Some hospitals, particularly nonprofit ones, are required to offer charity care or debt forgiveness to qualifying patients.

RIP Medical Debt: This nonprofit organization purchases and forgives medical debt for individuals below a certain income level. Visit RIPMedicalDebt.org to see if you qualify

• Preventive Care

Keep up with your health and focus on prevention to reduce future costs. Look for free screenings or discounted programs through local health departments.

• Self-care and Alternative Medicine
• Crowdfunding as a Last Resort

Platforms like GoFundMe have helped individuals raise money for medical emergencies, but this is often not a sustainable solution for large-scale medical debt.

Where Do We Go Next? 

Why healthcare reform starts with us

The anger toward UnitedHealthcare and the broader healthcare system reflects a deep-seated frustration with inequality and exploitation. But violence cannot—and should not—be the answer. Instead, we must channel this energy into demanding systemic change.

In an election year, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The healthcare policies enacted in 2025 will set the course for decades to come. By holding leaders accountable and pushing for reform, we can work toward a system where healthcare is a right—not a privilege.