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DEAR EDITOR:
We in the health care free speech movement have warned that the imposition of group health insurance on the American public has created a deeply radicalized beneficiary population that appears to have come loose from ordinary capacities for thought, feeling, and action.
Now comes accused killer Luigi Mangione and his alleged murder of health insurance executive Brian Thompson in New York City, which murder seems to us an extreme example of that radicalization in action. Mangione's written statement found on him at his arrest in Altoona was released in its entirety by enterprising journalist Ken Klippenstein. Mangione's statement, called a manifesto by some, is notable because of Mangione's highly selective education and his upbringing in a wealthy family.
Also remarkable is the social media response of some to Mangione's alleged crime, which has been addressed by the governors of New York and Pennsylvania and opinion writers nationwide in traditional media. A non-partisan Emerson College poll had 41% of registered voters under 30 regard the murder of Thompson as "acceptable". A poll of students at highly selective Princeton University had 25% regard the Thompson killing as "completely justified" and 22% as "deserved". How long has this been going on? How are these opinions not an expression of radicalized "anti-values" that need examined by competent authorities in Congress?
Write your congressmen and senators. Urge them to propose to their colleagues a joint House-Senate select committee investigation into the origin, motives, nature, and consequences of America's unique group health insurance. Keep in mind that critical expert witnesses will not appear for questioning without credible guarantees for their jobs and personal safety.
JACK LABUSCH
Niles