Another brilliant read, Michelle. And yeah, totally with you on the thug I am most concerned about. As a recent breast cancer survivor, I am aware that from now on, my medical records have a new type of scarlet letter emblazoned on every form: C. The thought of recurrence is terrifying enough but the possibility of insurance denials make it even more frightful.
On another note. I had an appendectomy about 4 years ago. The bills was 425K. That was for a 23 hour hospital stay and a 20 minute surgery. I saved the EOB just because there are still moments where I wonder if I confabulated such an outrageous charge.
With this also in my history, I can't help but wonder if denials will be more likely because I'm a liability that threatens the shareholder profits.
There should never, ever be a profit motive in health care. Capitalizing on the suffering of humans is despicable.
I can imagine your fears — I had a lumpectomy for iffy but not cancerous cells. It’s scary to think of insurance just deciding to let us die rather than provide us with care.
It is a topic discussed in breast cancer circles for sure. Especially when insurance uses their delay tactics while aggressive tumors grow and multiply. Sigh.
You are very correct. Americans are very angry with everything right now and it is starting to show. Between the election in November, and little things like this shooting are red flags that are likely being ignored by the elitists. The CEO's and executives will hire extra security for a while until they think things have quieted down.
Underneath all of this is a simmering anger that will boil over sometime soon. I would say right about the time everyone realizes that Trump lied to everyone again.
The billionaire-owned media is very complicit in this. People without critical thinking skills or those too lazy to research stuff just swallowed everything spewed out by FOX, NY Times, WAPO, etc. Like my mother, who sits in front of the TV non-stop. She voted for the Nazi and she goes, "well, I don't like him. Here's the way I see it..."
I exploded and left the room. When I returned, my sister pointed out that our mother is so racist, she refused to vote for the smart black lady. Yep, I said, it's all about white supremacy. It sucks to have a racist bigot for a mother.
People like her never learn. The racism is ingrained and they like it that way. She raised us to be racist and we both had to work to overcome that toxic mindset.
I grew up in a place where Trump won big both times. I must be one of just a handful of non-Trumpers from my high school. I attribute it to my young habit of reading madly.
There does come a point where some people want to see it all burn. I didn't vote for Trump but I suppose I'm one of them. I was hoping for creative destruction under Bernie. But I often don't get what I want. I don't condone violence in any form, but I understand why it happens. Unfortunately, when you push people to their breaking point, sometimes they actually break.
Thank you for this piece. Just adding that we need to help each other see that the cruelty of this country, the putting of profits above everything else is a choice -- it's not a natural way of doing things, and we can choose differently.
I had not heard about this. Since the election, I have deliberately ignored news and politics to protect my mental health. Your piece really made me think.
The name of the game in America is greed. Greed for power and money. Medical charges are outrageously high; an elderly person on Medicare can have most everything covered only if they 1)pay enormous premiums for a supplement policy or 2)also qualify for Medicaid, which means they have zero resources. My friend who died of Covid had both, but her SS check was spent on necessities before the end of every month. She lived in poverty and worry.
I have a Medicare Advantage plan (not United) that I really liked, but benefits were SLASHED for 2025 and copays DOUBLED!! Insurance guy said every single company did the same for 2025. Why??
I opted for another plan with a different company. It's still going to be expensive and I am very angry. I'm also afraid the new Nazi administration is going to rape our country and the nobodies like me will pay for it.
I know the Medicare Advantage plans were a great deal when they first came out, but it turns out they were another bait and switch by the insurance companies and the Republican Congress. Thanks to the painful experience of people like you, I will opt for traditional Medicare when I turn 65 next year. I’m sorry you got put in this bind.
"Maybe there’s a line, somewhere, between trying to do the right thing most of the time and going all-in on exploiting others, but I’d hate to try to figure out where that line is … especially if there’s death on the other side of it."
The "exploiting others" is made so much easier and almost invisible, if you squint, when there is money on the line. Our entire system is built on the different levels of exploitation.
I recently wrote about how we need to learn to be creative if we are serious about the survival of our country. My article was inspired by John Dewey. I hope it’s okay that I’m linking my article here. Would love your thoughts.
I have often wondered, with the way my morbid and sometimes gruesome mind works- if a better punishment rather than murder, would be putting the corpses of those who have died due to denied and delayed care on the health insurance executives cars, their homes, and also to politicians who lap up their money and vote to keep healthcare expensive. When a plan works- oh, that is just brilliant for their commercials! How many people have suffered to the endless bureaucracy, the out of network shams, the brutality of “ohhh, your life is not part of our bottom line.”
Sometimes piles of bodies have leaders pause on the battlefield and the places they ruled. Many still only sought power at all cost, but some- when confronted by the sheer number of dead due to disease, raids, wars, etc- realized what it meant to be a true leader. That their decisions have massive consequences. How can one look at a for profit health system and think-“I really care for my fellow citizens, I really do.”
My father died a few months ago. His care at one hospital versus another was like night and day. He had Medicare and secondary insurance so his bills ended up not being terrible for his family left behind to deal with.
But his first few days there- they had to call him ( he could barely talk due to lung fibrosis caused by pneumonia cutting off his oxygen ) and verify he had a way to pay. Wtf??
The system is dehumanizing and devaluing. If you are lucky while being without insurance you can apply for charity to cover your bills. But still- “Well sir, your insurance company will pay for oxygen! Isn’t that great?! You pay us to breathe!”
Perhaps everyone should stop calling it a healthcare system and call it a sicknessprofit system. Until somebody with influence gets embarrassed. Breath-holding not recommended.
Exactly right, we were encouraged to read and think! I'm not sure schools are doing that anymore. My daughter told me that I'm the only parent she knows who voted Democrat. She said her friends' parents all went the other way. I'm sure my HS classmates did too.
BTW, I'm grateful for this comment section to spout off in. Not on social media at all, too anxiety-producing.
I have a theory about this particular murder, but I won’t share it unless it proves to be accurate. That said, I’m surprised this sort of thing doesn’t happen more often. It’s become clear that the plan for all those whose jobs have been lost to technological innovation or who are too old or sick to start their own business is for them to die, either through lack of resources or suicide. When Dr. Kevorkian started beating the death with dignity drum, everyone assumed this would only be for hopeless cases in terrible pain. But now, one can legally opt for assisted suicide in Switzerland without a compelling medical reason.
My theory, which is just a theory and may well remain one, is that the shooter has a loved one who died thanks to what he perceives as the loved one's insurance refusing to cover needed medical care.
It's possible I'm way off, and we might never know.
I think that’s the general opinion, and it may be correct. It seems like the most obvious reason and the media are pushing that narrative. It will be interesting to see what develops. However, if someone else had a reason for wanting the man dead, that narrative makes a fine red herring.
Another brilliant read, Michelle. And yeah, totally with you on the thug I am most concerned about. As a recent breast cancer survivor, I am aware that from now on, my medical records have a new type of scarlet letter emblazoned on every form: C. The thought of recurrence is terrifying enough but the possibility of insurance denials make it even more frightful.
On another note. I had an appendectomy about 4 years ago. The bills was 425K. That was for a 23 hour hospital stay and a 20 minute surgery. I saved the EOB just because there are still moments where I wonder if I confabulated such an outrageous charge.
With this also in my history, I can't help but wonder if denials will be more likely because I'm a liability that threatens the shareholder profits.
There should never, ever be a profit motive in health care. Capitalizing on the suffering of humans is despicable.
I can imagine your fears — I had a lumpectomy for iffy but not cancerous cells. It’s scary to think of insurance just deciding to let us die rather than provide us with care.
It is a topic discussed in breast cancer circles for sure. Especially when insurance uses their delay tactics while aggressive tumors grow and multiply. Sigh.
WTF is wrong with this country?!?
Rhetorical question I ask daily.
You are very correct. Americans are very angry with everything right now and it is starting to show. Between the election in November, and little things like this shooting are red flags that are likely being ignored by the elitists. The CEO's and executives will hire extra security for a while until they think things have quieted down.
Underneath all of this is a simmering anger that will boil over sometime soon. I would say right about the time everyone realizes that Trump lied to everyone again.
It shouldn't be a surprise that Trump lied again, but some people out there are slow learners.
The billionaire-owned media is very complicit in this. People without critical thinking skills or those too lazy to research stuff just swallowed everything spewed out by FOX, NY Times, WAPO, etc. Like my mother, who sits in front of the TV non-stop. She voted for the Nazi and she goes, "well, I don't like him. Here's the way I see it..."
I exploded and left the room. When I returned, my sister pointed out that our mother is so racist, she refused to vote for the smart black lady. Yep, I said, it's all about white supremacy. It sucks to have a racist bigot for a mother.
People like her never learn. The racism is ingrained and they like it that way. She raised us to be racist and we both had to work to overcome that toxic mindset.
It's wonderful that you overcame that.
I grew up in a place where Trump won big both times. I must be one of just a handful of non-Trumpers from my high school. I attribute it to my young habit of reading madly.
Once he crashes the economy in about 6 months, shit will hit the fan. Time to bug out.
Interesting and thoughtful take.
Thought provoking... 🤔
Always love reading your stuff, thank you
Thank you!
There does come a point where some people want to see it all burn. I didn't vote for Trump but I suppose I'm one of them. I was hoping for creative destruction under Bernie. But I often don't get what I want. I don't condone violence in any form, but I understand why it happens. Unfortunately, when you push people to their breaking point, sometimes they actually break.
Good post. Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you for this piece. Just adding that we need to help each other see that the cruelty of this country, the putting of profits above everything else is a choice -- it's not a natural way of doing things, and we can choose differently.
Yes! It is possible for us to start putting humans first!
❤️❤️❤️
I had not heard about this. Since the election, I have deliberately ignored news and politics to protect my mental health. Your piece really made me think.
The name of the game in America is greed. Greed for power and money. Medical charges are outrageously high; an elderly person on Medicare can have most everything covered only if they 1)pay enormous premiums for a supplement policy or 2)also qualify for Medicaid, which means they have zero resources. My friend who died of Covid had both, but her SS check was spent on necessities before the end of every month. She lived in poverty and worry.
I have a Medicare Advantage plan (not United) that I really liked, but benefits were SLASHED for 2025 and copays DOUBLED!! Insurance guy said every single company did the same for 2025. Why??
I opted for another plan with a different company. It's still going to be expensive and I am very angry. I'm also afraid the new Nazi administration is going to rape our country and the nobodies like me will pay for it.
I wish I could reassure you that every little thing’s gonna be alright.
But I can’t. I’m pretty worried.
I know the Medicare Advantage plans were a great deal when they first came out, but it turns out they were another bait and switch by the insurance companies and the Republican Congress. Thanks to the painful experience of people like you, I will opt for traditional Medicare when I turn 65 next year. I’m sorry you got put in this bind.
"Maybe there’s a line, somewhere, between trying to do the right thing most of the time and going all-in on exploiting others, but I’d hate to try to figure out where that line is … especially if there’s death on the other side of it."
The "exploiting others" is made so much easier and almost invisible, if you squint, when there is money on the line. Our entire system is built on the different levels of exploitation.
Ours are but few, few ways to change things at the moment, but the Senate is the most likely path right now.
https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/write-your-senator?r=3m1bs
Trump is the pitchfork. Guns are the guillotine.
Another Day, Another Massacre: How Republican Voters Trap Themselves in a Cycle of Violence, Neglect, and Suffering
By backing leaders who serve lobbyists and profits over lives, Republican voters ensure their own cycle of bloodshed, poverty, and decay
https://open.substack.com/pub/patricemersault/p/another-day-another-massacre-how?r=4d7sow&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Amazing article. Thank you
I recently wrote about how we need to learn to be creative if we are serious about the survival of our country. My article was inspired by John Dewey. I hope it’s okay that I’m linking my article here. Would love your thoughts.
https://open.substack.com/pub/withoutreason/p/the-edge-of-democracy-part-two?r=1ssgkd&utm_medium=ios
I have often wondered, with the way my morbid and sometimes gruesome mind works- if a better punishment rather than murder, would be putting the corpses of those who have died due to denied and delayed care on the health insurance executives cars, their homes, and also to politicians who lap up their money and vote to keep healthcare expensive. When a plan works- oh, that is just brilliant for their commercials! How many people have suffered to the endless bureaucracy, the out of network shams, the brutality of “ohhh, your life is not part of our bottom line.”
Sometimes piles of bodies have leaders pause on the battlefield and the places they ruled. Many still only sought power at all cost, but some- when confronted by the sheer number of dead due to disease, raids, wars, etc- realized what it meant to be a true leader. That their decisions have massive consequences. How can one look at a for profit health system and think-“I really care for my fellow citizens, I really do.”
My father died a few months ago. His care at one hospital versus another was like night and day. He had Medicare and secondary insurance so his bills ended up not being terrible for his family left behind to deal with.
But his first few days there- they had to call him ( he could barely talk due to lung fibrosis caused by pneumonia cutting off his oxygen ) and verify he had a way to pay. Wtf??
The system is dehumanizing and devaluing. If you are lucky while being without insurance you can apply for charity to cover your bills. But still- “Well sir, your insurance company will pay for oxygen! Isn’t that great?! You pay us to breathe!”
Ffs
I’m so sorry about your father.
And agreed with the rest.
Thank you.
Perhaps everyone should stop calling it a healthcare system and call it a sicknessprofit system. Until somebody with influence gets embarrassed. Breath-holding not recommended.
Exactly right, we were encouraged to read and think! I'm not sure schools are doing that anymore. My daughter told me that I'm the only parent she knows who voted Democrat. She said her friends' parents all went the other way. I'm sure my HS classmates did too.
BTW, I'm grateful for this comment section to spout off in. Not on social media at all, too anxiety-producing.
I have a theory about this particular murder, but I won’t share it unless it proves to be accurate. That said, I’m surprised this sort of thing doesn’t happen more often. It’s become clear that the plan for all those whose jobs have been lost to technological innovation or who are too old or sick to start their own business is for them to die, either through lack of resources or suicide. When Dr. Kevorkian started beating the death with dignity drum, everyone assumed this would only be for hopeless cases in terrible pain. But now, one can legally opt for assisted suicide in Switzerland without a compelling medical reason.
My theory, which is just a theory and may well remain one, is that the shooter has a loved one who died thanks to what he perceives as the loved one's insurance refusing to cover needed medical care.
It's possible I'm way off, and we might never know.
I think that’s the general opinion, and it may be correct. It seems like the most obvious reason and the media are pushing that narrative. It will be interesting to see what develops. However, if someone else had a reason for wanting the man dead, that narrative makes a fine red herring.