Police Analyze "Direct Challenge to the Medical Industry"
Luigi Manzoni, who is accused of murdering Brian Thompson, CEO of the insurance division of UnitedHealth Group in the United States, was found to have had a manifesto expressing blatant hostility toward the insurance industry at the time of his arrest.
According to a report by the New York Times (NYT) on the 10th (local time), citing an internal report from the New York Police Department, Manzoni was carrying a three-page manifesto at the time of his arrest.
The document included the phrase, "To be honest, these parasites have it coming." It also mentioned that he acted alone, stating, "I apologize for causing conflict and trauma. But it was something I had to do."
The police, in their internal report, assessed that Manzoni viewed the killing of CEO Thompson as a direct challenge to the corruption and power games in the medical industry. They also noted that he seemed to consider himself a kind of hero and was determined to act against injustice.
According to foreign media, Manzoni also posted on social media praising Ted Kaczynski, the 'Unabomber,' who opposed technological civilization and became a bomb terrorist.
Joseph Kenny, head of investigations at the New York Police Department, stated that Manzoni appeared to harbor malice toward "Corporate America." Corporate America refers to large U.S. corporations or the capitalist economic order of the United States.
On social media and other online platforms, support for Manzoni has been pouring in. Nishikan Akpan, Global Health Editor, said that such praise reflects the public's anger toward the insurance industry.
According to research by the nonprofit medical research foundation Commonwealth Fund, two out of five working-age American adults delay doctor visits and prescription fills due to high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, one-third feel burdened by medical or dental expenses.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) evaluated that the insurance industry is facing a long-standing wave of anger. It also analyzed that this is due to changes in insurance payment regulations following the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This law, implemented to enroll low-income individuals in health insurance, prohibited insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, leading the insurance industry to block access to necessary treatments or impose stricter payment rules to reduce costs.
Cynthia Cox, Vice President of the health research nonprofit KFF, pointed out, "There has been little effort to address the fundamental reasons for high medical costs."
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