A Conversation on the Shocking United Healthcare CEO Assassination and the Deep-Seated Frustration with America’s Health Insurance System

In a recent episode of the Sit and Stay podcast, three mental health professionals—Parker Anderson, Dr. Sara Heron, and Dr. Thomas Tarshis—came together to discuss a controversial and tragic event that has sparked renewed outrage about health insurance in the United States. Two weeks ago, United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was assassinated on the street in an incident that shocked the nation. But perhaps equally startling was the wave of public indifference—and even approval—circulating on social media in response.

While none of the guests on the Sit and Stay podcast condone violence, they acknowledged that the chilling public reaction underscores a growing sense of disillusionment with corporate healthcare entities. Below is a summary of their conversation, filled with raw insights into how broken the system appears to those on the front lines of patient care—and to patients themselves.

A Catalyst for Conversations About Healthcare

Parker Anderson opened the discussion by describing why the podcast chose to tackle this delicate issue:

“Two weeks ago there was a shocking piece of news…Brian Thompson was assassinated on the street, and many people across the country were very surprised to see what happened. But maybe more surprising than the act itself was the widespread public reaction.”
– Parker Anderson

He noted that the online discourse was rife with sentiments of indifference and, in some corners, even praise—often by people who feel they have been severely let down by the American health insurance system.

Why Such a Frustrated Public Response?

Dr. Sara Heron, Chief Medical Officer for Ripsy Tech and Executive Director for Bay Children’s Services, reflected on the larger context of frustration simmering in the United States:

“People are looking for some way to get some way to—Parker, you were talking about sort of your own experiences with the health insurance company as a consumer…You can be on the phone with these companies probably the same with Cox Cable or whatever and feel like you get nowhere. So I think people are like, ‘Okay, somebody did something when I have felt so powerless.’”
– Dr. Sara Heron

According to Dr. Heron, the anger stems from years of feeling stonewalled by for-profit insurance giants. She pointed out that for many people, the sense of having “no voice” in their own healthcare drives everything from cynicism to, in extreme cases, misguided support for violent actions.

The Dual Role of Physician and Consumer

Dr. Thomas Tarshis, a child psychiatrist, founder of Ripsy Tech, and CEO of Bay Children’s Services, underscored the double bind that many healthcare providers experience—they’re both consumers of insurance and professionals who rely on insurers to deliver services to patients:

“We have a dual perspective…one of dealing with insurance companies as consumers and then another dealing with insurance companies to try to get care for our patients or get properly compensated. As physicians, we’re able to play the physician card sometimes to get a little better care, but in general, we know a bit more about navigating the system—and still it’s tough.”
– Dr. Thomas Tarshis

Even with insider knowledge, Dr. Tarshis explained, doctors and their administrative teams struggle to secure fair reimbursement and timely authorizations for vital treatments. He shared how some insurance companies reimburse far below market rates, effectively pricing out certain clinics from their networks.

A Look at Personal Frustrations

The conversation also addressed the day-to-day hurdles that ordinary patients face. Parker Anderson shared a personal anecdote:

“I had a colonoscopy two and a half years ago…I asked the first thing, ‘How much is that going to cost?’ They said, ‘It ought to be covered.’ Then, a month later, I get a bill for $1,000…Everything was poorly communicated to me at every step of the process.”
– Parker Anderson

This mix-up occurred because the procedure was billed as “diagnostic,” rather than “preventive,” turning what should have been fully covered into a major out-of-pocket expense. Stories like this are alarmingly common, reflecting the complexities of insurance coding, coverage gaps, and fine-print policies.

Mental Health Implications

A significant portion of the conversation focused on mental health coverage. Both Dr. Heron and Dr. Tarshis have dealt firsthand with “never-ending” phone calls to insurance companies to justify the medical necessity of psychotherapy, hospitalizations, and intensive outpatient programs. Dr. Heron recalled a heartbreaking situation:

“I will never forget this adolescent patient who was coming out of the hospital…and this person on the phone is just telling me they don’t need [an intensive outpatient program] even though they were in the hospital for being suicidal…You’re telling me they don’t need this thing that I’ve been trained to assess for, over the phone.”
– Dr. Sara Heron

Such bureaucratic red tape often delays or denies life-saving care and leaves psychiatrists powerless to help their patients without incurring astronomical bills.

Can Healthcare Providers Change the System?

When asked whether healthcare providers have a responsibility—or even the ability—to advocate for systemic change, Dr. Tarshis emphasized the need for collective action among doctors:

“Could there be…a massive push by doctors and other healthcare workers to revolt against the insurance companies? That might be what it takes to see real change.”
– Dr. Thomas Tarshis

However, he acknowledged the difficulty of organizing busy professionals, let alone mobilizing them en masse to confront powerful corporations with billions of dollars in annual profits.

Dr. Heron noted that part of the puzzle might lie in technology and administrative efficiencies, like those offered by Ripsy Tech, to simplify billing and reduce systemic friction. She also urged more providers to band together, negotiate with insurance companies in larger numbers, and consider the far-reaching impact when some psychiatrists move to cash-only models, thereby reducing access for lower-income patients.

A Call for Transparency and Action

By the end of the podcast, it was clear that while the assassination of Brian Thompson was a horrifying act, the public’s controversial reaction is a window into widespread anger at what many perceive as an unjust, profit-driven system. The Sit and Stay guests stressed that real reform will require:

1. Greater Transparency – Clearer explanations of coverage, billing codes, and out-of-pocket costs.

2. Collaborative Advocacy – Healthcare professionals uniting to push insurers for fair reimbursements and accessible mental health services.

3. Consumer Awareness – Patients arming themselves with knowledge about plan details, but also demanding simpler, more accountable insurance systems.

“We’re all three of us trying to be very cognizant and respectful…This isn’t the way we would have wanted to solve these issues, and it doesn’t even solve them. But the public’s reaction points to bigger problems in our healthcare system.”
– Dr. Sara Heron

Looking Ahead

As Parker Anderson closed the episode, he left listeners with a hopeful note that continued dialogue might spur change:

“We could go three times longer…maybe we’ll do a follow-up in a few months. Check in—has anything changed?”
– Parker Anderson

For now, the conversation stands as a sobering reminder that, behind every shocking headline, there is a deeper story about an American healthcare system in dire need of attention and overhaul.

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Stay tuned for more insight and stories in next week’s blog post!

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