Many might be surprised to learn that in a country like the U.S., known for its abundance of choices in most areas, health insurance is a notable exception. In most states, there’s typically just one—or at best, two—health insurance carriers to choose from.
The thing about capitalism is that you love it as long as it benefits you, and as soon as you find yourself on the wrong end of a trade, you swear you hate it. I get it. When you’re down to your last dollar, and the people around you—especially those who sell the products or services you need—seem to be profiting off your struggle, they can feel like villains in the story of your life.
It’s no coincidence that Millennials and Gen Z started turning on capitalism right when the shopping sprees and endless vacation funds dried up. When you can afford to book a direct flight to Dubai, go shopping, get wall-to-wall car service, stay in luxury hotels, and order your groceries via an app while flying back, capitalism is great.
All those people providing services are heroes to you. But the moment you can’t afford those things anymore, capitalism sucks. I’ve been there. And now we’re at a point where we demonize people who are just as much a part of the system as we are. We even celebrate when the system’s winners face tragedy.
The Tragic Murder of Brian Thompson and the Backlash
Take the horrific murder of former UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson. His death was not just a tragedy for his family and loved ones but also a disturbing reflection of how we’ve started to view the individuals who succeed in a flawed system.
The bizarre celebratory mood that followed his murder—with people expressing glee online—is a symptom of misplaced anger. Sure, Thompson symbolized the corporate side of healthcare, but he was still a person—someone’s son, friend, or father.
This backlash highlights a dangerous trend. Instead of channeling frustration toward the system itself, people are increasingly targeting individuals. But demonizing one person doesn’t fix the issues.
It’s a distraction that prevents us from addressing the systemic problems that make healthcare—and other industries—feel so exploitative. The energy spent celebrating Thompson’s demise could be better used advocating for solutions that create meaningful change.
How Far Healthcare Has Come—and Where It Fell Short
What I want to talk about is healthcare and how far it’s come. Go ask your parents how difficult it was to get affordable health insurance outside of work before the Affordable Care Act (ACA) came into effect in 2013. It was nearly impossible unless you were super-rich.
A family of four could expect to pay upwards of $12,000 to $20,000 annually for a basic policy, and that’s before factoring in high deductibles and limited coverage options. Many families simply went without coverage, hoping to avoid catastrophic medical bills.
The ACA made huge strides in reducing the upfront cost of healthcare for many Americans. But here’s the kicker: some of the smartest parts of the law got watered down by lawmakers in Washington.
The Missed Opportunity of CO-OPs
One of the biggest missed opportunities was the ACA’s support for health insurance startups called Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans (CO-OPs). These were supposed to bring in competition and keep the big players like Blue Cross and Aetna in check.
More competition means better prices and services—just look at grocery stores. Whole Foods competes with Food Lion, which competes with Walmart, and everyone benefits. That’s capitalism working as it should.
But Congress slashed funding for CO-OPs from $6 billion to $2.4 billion. This cut killed off promising startups like Consumers’ Choice in South Carolina, leaving people in the state stuck with just two major insurers. When there’s no competition, big companies can charge higher premiums, shrink networks, and give you fewer options.
Many might be surprised to learn that in a country like the U.S., known for its abundance of choices in most areas, health insurance is a notable exception. In most states, there’s typically just one—or at best, two—health insurance carriers to choose from.
Competition: The Best Fix for Corporate Greed
The thing is, in a capitalist society, the best antidote to corporate greed isn’t more regulation—it’s competition. When there are more players in the market, everyone has to try harder to win customers.
That’s why even during high inflation, grocery stores find ways to lower prices. They have to because there’s always another store around the corner. Healthcare could have been like that if CO-OPs had been properly funded.
Focus on Fixing the System, Not Demonizing Individuals
So, what’s the lesson here? It’s not about demonizing individuals who benefit from the system—they’re playing by the same rules we all are. It’s about fixing the system itself. Instead of celebrating someone’s downfall, we should focus on how to bring back real competition and innovation. The ACA showed us what’s possible, but we need to push for policies that actually stick.
Capitalism is messy, but it doesn’t have to be this way. When it’s balanced with real competition, it can work for everyone. Healthcare is the perfect place to start. Let’s learn from the past, fix the mistakes, and create a system that works better for all of us.
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