Health Care as a Right, Not a Privilege
The Marxist Case for Dismantling Private Insurance
Luigi Mangione Speaks on the Urgency of Health Care Justice
The idea that health care is a human right has been reduced to little more than political rhetoric in capitalist societies. Under the current system, dominated by private health insurance corporations, access to life-saving care is dictated by one’s ability to pay, not by one’s needs. As a Marxist, I see this for what it is: a morally bankrupt system designed to perpetuate class oppression and uphold the profit motives of the bourgeoisie.
The Exploitative Foundations of Private Insurance
Health insurance in its current form is the epitome of capitalist exploitation. The working class is systematically coerced into paying premiums and deductibles that often consume significant portions of their income, only to find themselves battling for coverage when they fall ill.
Take, for example, UnitedHealthcare and its former CEO, Brian Thompson. Thompson’s wealth ballooned from the profits of denied claims, withheld reimbursements, and predatory pricing practices. This grotesque disparity between corporate greed and human suffering makes it clear: private health insurance is not about health, it is about control and profit.
Why Private Insurance Must Be Destroyed
The destruction of private health insurance is not merely a policy change; it is a moral imperative. Here are the key reasons why:
- Health as a Commodity: Capitalism treats health as a product to be bought and sold, ignoring the fundamental truth that health care is a universal human need.
- Financial Ruin: Millions of working-class families face medical bankruptcy every year, sacrificing their savings and dignity to pay for overpriced care.
- Gatekeeping Care: Private insurers profit by denying claims, delaying approvals, and limiting coverage—leaving countless patients to suffer or die.
These injustices are not accidents; they are features of a system that prioritizes profit over people. To achieve true health equity, private insurance must be dismantled and replaced with a socialist model of care.
Luigi Mangione: A Symbol of Resistance
Luigi Mangione’s actions against UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, though extreme, ignited a global conversation about the failures of private health insurance. On social media, Marxist activists rallied behind him, pointing to his defiance as a manifestation of class struggle. Posts bearing hashtags like #EndHealthCapitalism and #MangioneWasRight went viral, amplifying calls for systemic change.
While critics vilified Mangione, many saw his act as a moment of awakening. Stories poured in of patients denied care, families bankrupted by medical bills, and lives lost to a system that prioritizes profits over people. These testimonies highlighted the urgent need for a revolutionary transformation of health care.
Socialist Health Care: A Vision of Justice
In a socialist health care system, the principles of equity, accessibility, and solidarity would replace the profit motives of capitalism:
- Universal Access: Health care would be guaranteed to all, regardless of income or social status.
- Elimination of Costs: No more premiums, deductibles, or surprise bills—care would be funded collectively, ensuring no one is left behind.
- Worker-Centered Innovation: Resources would focus on improving care quality and outcomes rather than corporate bottom lines.
This vision is not a utopia; it is a necessity. Countries with public health systems have demonstrated the feasibility of equitable care. It is capitalism that stands in the way, not logistics or practicality.
Social Media as a Revolutionary Tool
The aftermath of Mangione’s act demonstrated the power of social media in shaping public discourse. Marxist thinkers, activists, and everyday citizens used platforms to share stories of health care failures and advocate for alternatives. Posts dissecting the structural flaws of private insurance and proposing socialist reforms spread rapidly, forcing even mainstream media to confront uncomfortable truths.
A Call to Action
The fight for health care justice is not just a battle against private insurers—it is a battle against the entire capitalist system that allows such exploitation to exist. Luigi Mangione’s actions, though controversial, laid bare the failures of private health insurance and sparked a movement for change.
To those who dismiss the destruction of private insurance as radical, I say this: what is truly radical is allowing millions to suffer and die in the name of profit. Health care is a right, not a privilege. It is time to dismantle the structures that commodify health and build a system rooted in equality, compassion, and solidarity.
As Marx wrote, “The working class has nothing to lose but its chains.” In the fight for health care justice, we must break those chains and demand a system that serves humanity, not capital. Let Mangione’s defiance be a rallying cry for the revolution we so desperately need.
Originally posted 2024-08-16 15:33:07.
