A California ballot measure would make it illegal for health insurance companies to deny prescribed care.
Originally called the Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act, the measure would ban insurance from delaying or denying procedures if those denials could lead to disability or death.
How Health Insurers Stole $140 Billion a Year- And Stand to Take Even More
Nation of Change Doctors and patients protest UnitedHealth’s record earnings amid patient suffering
Jenn Coffey, a patient battling complex regional pain syndrome, shared her experience of being denied necessary infusions, calling for dignity and a life worth living.
People’s Action: Full Video of Care Over Cost protests United Healthcare’s denials of care at New York Stock Exchange. Patients and doctors speak out about United’s denials of the care we all need.
MINNETONKA, Minn. — Nearly a dozen people were arrested Monday outside UnitedHealthcare headquarters in the western suburb of the Twin Cities, protesting what they allege is the company’s practice of not paying for care.
Eleven protesters were arrested by Minnetonka police for blocking the street, according to the People’s Action Institute, which helped organize the protest as part of its Care Over Cost campaign.
The campaign says it aims to bring attention to the health insurance company’s “systemic practice of refusing to approve care through prior authorization denials or pay for care through claim denials.”
“Health insurance coverage has expanded in America, but we are finding it is private health insurance corporations themselves that are often the largest barrier for people to receive the care they and their doctor agree they need,” said Aija Nemer-Aanerud, campaign director with the People’s Action Institute.
Nemer-Aanerud said UnitedHealth Group leadership has “refused to acknowledge that prior authorizations and claim denials are a widespread problem.”
A spokesperson for UnitedHealth Group said it has had dialogue with the People’s Action Institute for some time and has shared “member-related issues” that have since been resolved. The spokesperson went on to say the company wants to engage the group for Minnesota-specific cases but the group hasn’t shared any specific issues that haven’t already been resolved.
“The safety and security of our employees is a top priority. We have resolved the member-specific concerns raised by this group and remain open to a constructive dialogue about ensuring access to high-quality, affordable care,” UnitedHealthcare said in a statement.
In February, UnitedHealth Group’s Change Healthcare suffered a cyberattack, costing the company $872 million. CEO Andrew Witty confirmed during a hearing on Capitol Hill in May that UnitedHealth paid a $22 million ransom in the form of bitcoin.
Despite the hit, UnitedHealth Group trounced first-quarter expectations in 2024. The company projected in an earnings report that the cyberattack was expected to cost between $1.3 billion and $1.6 billion over the course of the year.
UnitedHealth said Tuesday its second-quarter net income fell 23% to $4.22 billion as it continued to absorb the impact of the cyberattack, but that still beat Wall Street expectations, according to The Associated Press.
UnitedHealth provides health insurance for more than 47 million people in the United States. It also provides care, pharmacy benefits management and technology services through its Optum segment.
“These corporations do nothing to increase positive outcomes and medical care. So don’t fall for their bullshit.” ~Jenn Coffey
“Prior authorizations don’t make care better they delay it. Prior authorizations deny care, prior authorizations kill people. Prior authorizations are not worth the paper they’re written on.” ~ Jenn Coffey
“I don’t want to die!” shouted Jenn Coffey, a member of Rights and Democracy in New Hampshire. “I’ve spent the last six months begging you for an infusion for the most painful disease known to modern medicine… Last year, when United was celebrating billions in profits, I was selling the last of my belongings that had any value. Now I’m standing in your lobby. UnitedHealthcare, do you hear me now?”
EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA – APRIL 16: Jenn Coffee and protesters with People’s Action target health insurance giant UnitedHealth Group due to exorbitant health insurance costs and insurance claims denials on April 16, 2024 in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images for People’s Action Institute)