‘Wake-Up Call’: CNN Morning Crew Condemns Glee At CEO Murder — Says It Will Prompt Changes In Healthcare Industry

CNN’s morning crew condemned the glee from some quarters after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s murder and agreed it will prompt changes and scrutiny in the healthcare industry.

Thompson was fatally shot Wednesday morning in a shocking crime that is still the subject of an intense manhunt. There has also been a stunning outpouring of anger at the healthcare industry, and even celebrations of Thompson’s death. While the motive is not confirmed, there is a major clue: the words “deny,” “depose,” and “defend” were carved into ammunition found at the crime scene.

On Friday’s edition of CNN This Morning, anchor Kasie Hunt and her panel of regulars took care to condemn the murder — then discussed the “frustration” fueling those who have cheered it on:

KASIE HUNT: Annie Linskey. You know, we’re going to be clear here about the tragedy that is Mr. Thompson and his family, right? And set that aside.

But what we do see in the wake of this is an outpouring of anger around the way people have been treated by these companies.

Now, we’re again, going to be clear, we are not saying that this justifies any sort of violence at all. But this conversation has really exploded. I know–. I mean, my family is talking about it.

ANNIE LINSKEY: Absolutely mine is too. I mean, of course, vigilante justice is not the answer to that problem. But– what I should say is and this incident and the reaction to it ought to be a wake up call to this industry, which has, you know, many there have been many, many big, really good investigative pieces about UnitedHealthcare in particular, and the issues that that that its customers have, getting the health care that’s promised, getting the the response as promised. A.

Nd if it’s not a health it’s not a wake up call to the industry, it certainly will be to Congress. And they are going to have to have there will be laws.

KASIE HUNT: In a CNN story that was just published about this. They note that a Facebook post that was put up by UnitedHealth Group expressing sadness about the CEO’s death, it received 62,000 reactions. Hyma, 57,000 of them were laughing emojis.

HYMA MOORE: I mean, that’s it’s sad to think about, but look at this. I mean, you’re right. Most of these health care issues are life or death. And I have a sick day at home in Louisiana. And we go to the doctor all the time. And sometimes we get denied for things and it doesn’t feel good, you know.

And so I think people have a personal issue with the way their health care has been administered. And I think to your point, Annie, over the next few weeks, few months are going to have to have a conversation about this.

If Congress has to take action, I think they will have to. But we hope that these private companies can come to the table and be a little bit more consistent in the way they administer health care. I think that would be helpful.

BRAD TODD: UnitedHealthcare has already been the focal point of ire for Congress because it’s vertically integrated. They’re buying up doctor’s offices. They own the largest PBM, which controls the price of prescription drugs in the country. And they’re the most aggressive on denying claims. I think united Health care will get more scrutiny.

KASIE HUNT: And, of course, we don’t know the motivation yet of this killer. We just know that these two words were found on these bullet casings. But, Elliot, this is something the fewer means you have, the harder it is to fight back against some of this stuff. And it is something that happens. It seems like this is a universal experience for people.

ELLIOT WILLIAMS: And I you know, and I agree with everything that’s been said here, this is exposing frustration in the public across income levels.

I just think just to state the obvious to some extent, Kasie, as much this is as much about the Internet and how the Internet has broken us as a people. Most of the people putting those laughing emojis in responses would never look this person’s wife in the eye and make that matter what kind of problems they might have with how United handled their health care. And that’s really very up to me what this is all about.

Watch above via CNN This Morning.