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'It's a death sentence': US health insurance system is failing, say doctors [View all]
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/26/us-health-insurance-system-doctorsFirms including United Healthcare have denied basic scans and taken months to reconsider, physicians say
American doctors are accusing US health insurance giants of causing deadly delays to vital medical procedures and care – and putting profits ahead of their patients’ health.
Firms including United Healthcare have denied basic scans, and taken months to reconsider, according to physicians who spoke to the Guardian.
“There’s good evidence that these kinds of delays literally kill people,” said Dr Ed Weisbart, former chief medical officer for Express Scripts, one of the largest prescription benefits managers in the US. “For some people, this isn’t just an inconvenience and an annoyance and an aggravation.
“It’s a death sentence, and the only reason the insurance companies do that is to maximize their profits. The fact that they might be killing you is not in the equation of what they care about.”
...
Firms including United Healthcare have denied basic scans, and taken months to reconsider, according to physicians who spoke to the Guardian.
“There’s good evidence that these kinds of delays literally kill people,” said Dr Ed Weisbart, former chief medical officer for Express Scripts, one of the largest prescription benefits managers in the US. “For some people, this isn’t just an inconvenience and an annoyance and an aggravation.
“It’s a death sentence, and the only reason the insurance companies do that is to maximize their profits. The fact that they might be killing you is not in the equation of what they care about.”
...
One of many stories cited where the delay in getting approval for a PET scan came after six months, but the patient had died. United Health Doesn't Care.
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