What's Happening

US News

UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting Highlights Outrage Over Insurance Practices

What's going on: Yesterday, New York police said bullet casings recovered from the murder scene of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson were inscribed with the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” — potentially alluding to a phrase used in the insurance industry. As authorities search for the suspect and investigate whether the ammunition points to a possible motive, online reactions to the deadly shooting underscore a collective frustration with an industry many believe prioritizes profit over patients’ health. Some people are reflecting on their horror stories with health insurers and seem overwhelmingly unsympathetic to the CEO’s murder, exuding a special sort of “morbid glee,” as The New York Times put it. “Thoughts and deductibles to the family,” one social media commenter said. Another added: “EAT THE RICH.” Others in the industry have spoken out against the backlash, with one major trade group executive saying, “We condemn any suggestion that threats against our colleagues — or anyone else in our country — are ever acceptable.”

What it means: In this case, the writing isn’t just on the wall but appears to be on the literal bullets: People are disgruntled with insurers. One KFF survey found that almost 60% of insured Americans said they experienced problems with coverage, like denied claims, delays in care, and issues with finding in-network providers. A ProPublica report pointed to a pattern in the industry of refusing to cover necessary care, detailing the case of UnitedHealthcare denying an Arizona woman’s claim for a targeted lung cancer treatment. A recent report also found UnitedHealthcare worked with a third-party company that uses AI and cranked up denial rates. While activists say the industry needs to reflect upon its policies, one UnitedHealthcare employee remembered Thompson as an executive who acknowledged the industry’s problems and sought to address them.

Related: Interesting Timing: Insurers Halt Plan To Limit Coverage for Anesthesia During Surgery (CNN)

International

Notre-Dame's Renaissance Is Here — But France's Political Chaos Rings Just as Loud

What's going on: In 2019, #PrayforParis and images of the Notre-Dame Cathedral ablaze dominated social media as the world mourned the loss of irreplaceable cultural and historical works. Hours after the fire was extinguished, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to rebuild the 860-year-old cathedral in just five years, despite experts estimating it would take at least 15. Somehow, Macron kept the project on track (because we all know contractors love to take their time), despite the Yellow Vest protests over fuel taxes overshadowing the fire. Now, political chaos is once again stealing Notre-Dame’s spotlight. Earlier this week, France’s government collapsed over budget-cutting plans, and the country’s prime minister is on the way out. It’s likely not what Macron envisioned for the cathedral’s opening weekend, but at least President-elect Donald Trump will be in attendance.

What it means: Macron would probably prefer that the public focus on Notre-Dame’s new stained-glass windows, but France’s politics are obscuring what should be hailed as the crown jewel of his legacy. While his government has overcome other challenges, like protests over changing the retirement age and the far-right’s attempts to take power, the current crisis leaves the fate of the EU’s second-largest economy hanging in the balance. As Macron debates who to appoint as the new prime minister, experts say there is no clear path forward. The situation could even force France to hold another round of elections, but Macron maintains he’s not going anywhere. In the meantime, lawmakers might want to say a little prayer or two that things get resolved quickly.

Related: Meanwhile, a Swiss Church Installed AI Jesus For Confession (NBC)

Food

Are We Eating Too Much Chicken?

What's going on: In this case, the egg came first (you’ve no doubt heard about their sky-high prices), but now the spotlight is on the chicken. Poultry consumption is up. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) believes the average American will consume more than 100 pounds of chicken per year, well over double the average from 1970. That’s thanks in part to fitness influencers evangelizing about protein consumption, as well as the fast-food industry’s “chicken craze,” with chicken sandwiches closing in on beef burgers as top sellers at restaurants. Plus, chicken is cheaper than beef, with the average price in the US standing at $1.99 per pound in October, vs. $5.59 for the same amount of ground beef. This is all joyous news if you are a Chick-fil-A cow, but is it actually a good thing? 

What it means: Dietitians largely agree that chicken is good for you, with some food writers even saying it has a “stunning nutritional resume” (a little much, but OK). It’s fine to eat chicken frequently as a source of protein, but nutritionists say it’s also important to have a varied diet to avoid nutrient deficiencies (though many people avoid meat altogether for ethical and environmental reasons). But we could be counting our chickens too soon: The rise in bird flu cases is naturally affecting chickens, with some poultry farms culling their broods in response, and leading to changing meat prices.

Related: Study: This One Potential Bird Flu Mutation Could Latch To Human Cells (WaPo Gift Link)