Is denying life any less wrong than taking it?
Commack, L.I.: I’m in no way condoning the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. However, I can understand the lack of sympathy for the executive who last earned more than $10 million in compensation while millions of health insurance subscribers had their medical claims denied. According to Derrick Crowe, a spokesman for the nonprofit People’s Action Institute, “More than 250 million health claims are denied annually by health insurance companies.” It turns out that UnitedHealthcare has the highest claim-denial rates.
I used UnitedHealthcare as my health insurance company during my years as a self-employed freelancer. I continued with them after I turned 65. In August of 2009, an ultrasound image confirmed that there was a tumor in my right ovary, which was potentially cancerous. At the time, all gynecologic oncologists available in my plan were either just going on vacation or returning, and were unavailable for appointments.
According to my health care plan — and subsequent correspondence — I was allowed to book an appointment with a doctor who was out of network if no one else was available, and did so. You can imagine my shock and surprise the day after I had the appointment to learn that the coverage for it was being denied. Not one to give up, I contacted Sen. Chuck Schumer’s office and ultimately had the charges reduced. I also found another gynecologic oncologist and got scheduled for surgery, after which it was confirmed that the tumor was Stage 1 cancer.
Imagine what the results might have been had I waited. Ovarian cancer has an extremely high mortality rate. Yvonne Fitzner
The good tipper
Manhattan: There are so many things disturbingly wrong in this society today. Yes, the insurance part of the health care system is, for the most part, a heartless, rigged casino. But these thousands of social media “activists” seeking to turn a cold-blooded killer into an instant folk hero/martyr? That’s pretty sick, people. And now the McDonald’s where he was thankfully nabbed is the target of all kinds of abuse on social media? Seriously? And to top it off, the real hero in this story, the McDonald’s employee who called the cops — in order to receive their relatively small reward for an arrest with this kind of national attention, will have to go through more hoops than a Supreme Court justice candidate! I read one news source that said this person might not receive the reward because the local police were phoned instead of the published tip line! Gary Stein
Necessary intervention
Monroe, N.J.: I was disappointed in the headline “His rage and privilege” (Dec. 11). That Luigi Mangione went to a private school and comes from a prominent family describes nothing about his mental health or ability to do something so violent. Mental illness, wherever it develops — in a seemingly comfortable family or living a tough city life — has to be addressed by government services, courts and family involvement. Help must be given to protect us all. Courts must take charge and families must assist. Katherine A. Moloney
Irrelevant context
Fall River, Mass.: I’ve about had it with the media’s fetishized obsession with branding accused murderer Luigi Mangione as the poster boy of so-called privilege. Yes, this apparently mentally ill and dangerous individual, now accused of the cold blooded killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, comes from a very affluent family. But money doesn’t guarantee academic success. Mangione, I assume, had to earn his master’s degree like any other highly intelligent student in his class. To demonize him on the basis of his family’s wealth is simple-minded and reeks of class envy. If Mangione is to be held in contempt, then it should be based solely on the accusation that he committed a heinous criminal act and nothing else. Charles Winokoor
High-priority
Manhattan: Many feel that they understand the murder of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Some actually think the murderer is a hero. The only heroes in this case are the police of New York City who did outstanding work in tracking down the perpetrator of this crime. My real problem is that every murder, including low-profile murders, aren’t investigated with the same money and intensity. A $10,000 reward is a little different than a $60,000 award. Aerial surveillance does not occur when an “ordinary” murder happens. If this had been a murder of a low-profile person, especially a non-white person, it probably would have remained a cold case. If we really want to cut down on the murder rate, then every case should be pursued with the same intensity as this one. I am sure a strategy like this could prevent many killings. Leonard Smoke
Total disregard
Brooklyn: The people who cheer Daniel Penny’s acquittal gloss over the fact that he was a Marine who was trained in chokeholds that cut off blood and air and was told such a restraint could kill. He kept the hold even when Neely stopped breathing or moving and started defecating on himself, and a passenger told Penny if he didn’t let up he’d kill Neely. In the movie “Marathon Man,” the evil Nazi doctor tortures the innocent Dustin Hoffman character, who knows nothing, saying, “To me, you’re not human.” To Penny, Neely was not human, nor was he to that jury. Martin Selbst
That didn’t take long
Brooklyn: Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu are dropping bombs on Syria with lighting speed. I guess if the U.S. keeps supplying the Israelis with an endless amount of bombs, they’ll just keep killing more innocent women and children. I heard it from a friend who heard it from another friend: There may be Al Qaeda around, so drop ’em! Jim Carney
On his way out?
Providence, R.I.: Re “Netanyahu testifies in his corruption trial” (Dec. 11): So, Bibi takes the stand / Relief could be at hand / If this divided land / Discarded his command. Felicia Nimue Ackerman
Reduce emissions
Manhattan: Congratulations to Voicer Nelson Yancy for switching to a vegan diet! I was a devoted vegan for 14 months until an inability to eat wheat, eliminating seitan and other options, and a horror of just one more meal of tofu derailed it. I still try to eat mostly plants for health and environmental reasons, and certainly no beef or dairy, as cows are the worst methane emitters among farm animals. We need to go on a renewable energy diet, too, and breathe clean air and drink clean water. Unfortunately, these are not within our power as individuals, and require state action. Gov. Hochul must form a coalition with other climate-leading states to maintain our clean energy goals and environmental standards despite the incoming president’s intention to cancel federal support. The governor can emulate Pennsylvania’s Gov. Josh Shapiro by diverting highway funds to mass transit. Laurie Aron
Blanket pardon
Brooklyn: It’s really disgraceful that future President Trump is going to pardon all the people who charged the Capitol on Jan. 6. It’s a disgrace to our country. Shame on you, Mr. Trump. Charlie Pisano
Give ’em their moment
Manhattan: Re “What Juan Soto’s contract says about the Mets” (Dec. 9): When free agency overshadows the World Series champion, it’s bad for baseball. The Texas Rangers won their first World Series ever in 2023. Before the dust settled, the headlines pivoted to who would sign Shohei Ohtani. The L.A. Dodgers (with Ohtani on board and heroics by Freddie Freeman) won in 2024. Then we were discussing Juan Soto. Several years ago, the Boston Red Sox World Series hadn’t even concluded, and already, the television cameras showed signs in the stands about where Alex Rodriguez would sign in the offseason. It’s a distraction. In a sport looking to compete with the National Football League and other sports, you’d hope Major League Baseball would allow the champs to have their moment in the spotlight. Adam Silbert
Fecal fairways
Brooklyn: Whatever happened to the pooper scooper law? There is more dog feces on the streets of NYC (that includes all boroughs). You have to watch where you are walking every step of the way, otherwise you are stepping into dog poop. Please, New York City could make a lot of money. I do not blame the dogs, I blame the owners for the lack of respect they have letting their dogs poop everywhere and not picking it up. Barbara Prince