I am a shareholder in UnitedHealth
Pixel 5 - 1/24 sec - f/2.2 - 2.2mm - ISO 57
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Yesterday, someone assassinated the CEO of UnitedHealth in the USA. So far, I haven’t seen anyone particularly unhappy about this turn of events. Most commentary suggests they are not a good company. However, someone is dead, and that person had family, a partner, kids, parents, and friends, possibly, though I haven’t looked into it further.
At the same time, the shooter probably has his reasons. I guess we will find out when they get caught. They too, likely, have family, a partner, kids, parents, and friends. Unless this was completely random, they likely believed they had a valid reason for their actions. I can’t even imagine what would drive someone to commit such an act.
The overwhelming narrative I’ve read about that company—from Mastodon posts, Bluesky, and everywhere else—is that they’re “ratbags,” prioritizing everything for the shareholders, and investors. UnitedHealth is reportedly America’s fourth-largest company, and they seem to be widely criticized for their bollocks treatment of their customers claims.
But here’s the thing: I’m a shareholder in UnitedHealth. And it’s quite likely you are, too, if you have a KiwiSaver account. The criticism that the company exists solely to maximize shareholder returns means I am, we are, complicit in their actions. Their success is our success.
I found the same issue when Eli Lilly was criticized (figuratively, feet held to the fire of social opinion) over their insulin price increases. People argued they were only thinking of the shareholders.
The same goes for Australian banks here in NZ. They’re making obscene profits off us Kiwis, yet almost every one of us is a shareholder of those banks through KiwiSaver.
I can’t reconcile wanting my KiwiSaver balance to keep growing—so my retirement isn’t grim—while simultaneously complaining about how these huge companies are profiting excessively from every one of us.
The Photo
One Jukebox Friday Night, after a couple of wines, listening to one of my favourite CDs sometime back in August I think. Track 15 is Let There Be Love. Such a good good song
