The shocking arrest of Luigi Mangione, a privileged Ivy League graduate, for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has sparked outrage and reflection. Mangione’s alleged crime, coupled with a handwritten manifesto railing against corporate greed in healthcare, has shone a harsh light on a global issue: the rising influence of profit-driven practices in systems meant to prioritize people.

While Mangione’s actions are indefensible, the frustration expressed in his manifesto taps into widespread discontent. The healthcare systems in both the United States and Europe are under immense strain, grappling with workforce shortages, rising costs, and increasing privatization—all exacerbated by corporate profit motives.

Healthcare in the United States: A System Designed for Profit

In the U.S., healthcare has long been a business first and a public service second. UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest health insurer, epitomizes this dynamic, reporting revenues of over $324 billion in 2023. Yet, many Americans face insurmountable costs for basic medical care, opaque billing practices, and denied claims.

Mangione’s manifesto reportedly condemned this disparity, accusing companies like UnitedHealthcare of exploiting patients for profit. He highlighted how corporate revenues soar while life expectancy in America stagnates—a sobering indictment of a system that prioritizes shareholders over human lives.

This profit-first model isn’t just failing patients—it’s breeding resentment. Public frustration with the healthcare system has reached a boiling point, with many questioning whether it can ever serve its people equitably while remaining tethered to corporate interests.

In Europe, healthcare systems are largely public and universal, but they are not immune to the pressures of privatization and economic strain

Reports from the OECD and WHO reveal that European health systems are grappling with aging populations, workforce shortages, and underfunding, leading to a gradual creep of privatization.

• Privatization in the UK: The National Health Service (NHS), once a hallmark of universal healthcare, has increasingly outsourced services to private contractors. Between 2009 and 2016, spending on private-sector services nearly doubled, fueling concerns about a two-tier healthcare system where access depends on wealth.
• Underfunding in Southern Europe: Countries like Greece and Spain face chronic underinvestment in public healthcare. In Greece, the fallout from austerity measures has left public hospitals struggling, with private providers stepping in to fill the gaps—often at the expense of equity.
• Pharmaceutical Influence: Across Europe, drug pricing remains a contentious issue. The influence of pharmaceutical corporations on regulatory agencies has led to high-priced medications that strain public health budgets.

These challenges, while different from those in the U.S., reflect a similar pattern: the prioritization of profit over public well-being, even in systems designed to be equitable.

A Tale of Two Systems

The contrast between the U.S. and Europe offers key insights into the global healthcare crisis:

• The U.S.: A predominantly private, profit-driven model that leaves millions underinsured and financially burdened.
• Europe: Public systems struggling to maintain universal access amid privatization pressures and funding gaps.

Both models face public dissatisfaction. In the U.S., the outrage centers on unaffordable care. In Europe, the fear is that privatization will erode the equity that has long defined its public systems.

The Role of Corporate Greed

Healthcare’s challenges are rooted in a broader issue: corporate greed. Whether it’s insurers denying claims, pharmaceutical companies inflating drug prices, or private providers prioritizing wealthy clients, the pursuit of profit undermines the ethical foundation of healthcare.

Mangione’s alleged manifesto, though extreme, echoes a sentiment shared by millions: corporations have become “parasites,” exploiting essential systems for financial gain. This frustration isn’t just theoretical—it’s deeply personal for those who can’t afford life-saving treatments or face endless bureaucracy to access basic care.

Lessons from Mangione’s Case

Mangione’s story is more than a headline; it’s a cautionary tale about the consequences of systemic inequities. His privileged background challenges stereotypes about radicalization, showing how frustration with corporate exploitation transcends class and education.

It also underscores the urgent need to address public grievances before they manifest in destructive ways. While his actions cannot be justified, the conditions that foster such despair demand our attention.

Healthcare systems on both sides of the Atlantic are at a crossroads

To restore trust and equity, governments and corporations must act decisively:

1. Hold Corporations Accountable: Healthcare providers must prioritize ethical practices and transparency over profits.
2. Reinvest in Public Systems: European nations must resist privatization and strengthen their public healthcare infrastructures.
3. Regulate Drug Pricing: Both the U.S. and Europe need stricter controls to ensure life-saving medications are affordable and accessible.

The strength of a nation is measured not by its wealth, but by its ability to care for its people. When we allow profit to eclipse compassion, we betray our shared humanity.

Health A Global Reckoning

The arrest of Luigi Mangione has reignited debates about corporate greed and its corrosive impact on healthcare. In the U.S., patients face an exploitative system where care is a privilege, not a right. In Europe, public systems risk succumbing to privatization, jeopardizing the equity they were designed to uphold.

The question isn’t just about what went wrong in this tragic case—it’s about what we’re willing to do to fix the systems that contributed to it. If we fail to act, the cracks in our healthcare systems will only deepen, leaving more people disillusioned, disenfranchised, and desperate.

Mangione’s manifesto labeled corporations as “parasites.” The real challenge lies in proving him wrong by building systems that prioritize people over profits—before it’s too late.