Brigham Buhler: UnitedHealthcare CEO Assassination, & the Mass Monetization of Chronic Illness
The Tucker Carlson Show
Deep Dive
Why did 41% of younger people support the assassination of the UnitedHealthcare CEO?
The support reflects deep-seated hostility toward insurance companies, which are seen as profiting from chronic illness and delaying access to care. The incident highlights widespread frustration with a profit-driven healthcare system.
How do health insurance companies contribute to the chronic disease crisis in America?
Insurance companies profit from chronic diseases by delaying coverage and care, prioritizing prescription drugs over surgeries, and creating a system where there is more financial incentive to keep people sick than to help them recover.
What role do Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) play in the healthcare system?
PBMs, owned by major insurance companies, negotiate drug prices but often inflate costs to receive rebates or kickbacks. They act as profit centers rather than advocates for affordable medication, driving up prescription drug prices for patients.
How much of UnitedHealthcare's revenue comes from its Pharmacy Benefit Manager?
60% of UnitedHealthcare's $373 billion in revenue last year came from its Pharmacy Benefit Manager, Optum, which operates as a hidden profit center within the company.
Why are health insurance companies incentivized to prescribe opioids over non-addictive alternatives?
Insurance companies receive rebates on opioids, making them more profitable than non-addictive pain treatments. This financial incentive has contributed to the opioid crisis by steering patients toward highly addictive medications.
How do insurance companies delay access to surgeries and other critical treatments?
Insurance companies use tactics like denying claims, requiring prior authorizations, and delaying approvals for surgeries. They also restrict patients to in-network providers, often leading to longer wait times and suboptimal care.
What is the impact of insurance companies on preventative care?
Insurance companies discourage preventative care by denying coverage for comprehensive blood work and other early detection measures. This prevents clinicians from identifying and addressing chronic diseases before they become severe.
How do insurance companies profit from Medicare and Medicaid?
Insurance companies negotiate inflated drug prices with Medicare and Medicaid, often receiving rebates that are not disclosed. They then charge the government higher rates, pocketing the difference while taxpayers foot the bill.
Why are doctors increasingly leaving the primary care profession?
Primary care doctors face burnout due to low reimbursement rates, excessive administrative burdens, and limited time with patients. Many are leaving the profession because they feel the system ties their hands and prioritizes profits over patient care.
What is the future of healthcare if insurance companies continue to dominate the system?
If insurance companies continue to dominate, healthcare will remain profit-driven, with a focus on treating chronic diseases rather than preventing them. Patients will face higher costs, limited access to care, and a system that prioritizes financial gain over health outcomes.
- Murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO
- 41% of young people support the murder
- Latent hostility towards insurance companies
- Insurance companies contribute to chronic disease crisis
- Corporate capture of institutions
Shownotes Transcript