United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson's assassination in early December caused me to think about why Americans are so frustrated with insurance companies. As the owner of an independent pharmacy in Duarte, California, I deal with insurance on a daily basis. I got an email one evening from a patient. I've read this email before, from countless patients before this one. I have even received a letter from the Superior Court of Minnesota, listing me as a creditor for a patient who filed for bankruptcy after cancer treatment. This particular email read:

"Could you tell me what I owe you and what I may have paid. I’m trying for some grants. I can’t even buy groceries. I’ve already missed taxes on our home. But I don’t want to keep on not paying you." //

Insurance is a catch-22. It almost seems like you're punished if you use it, but you're a fool not to have it. I would love to respond to the email above with, "Don't worry, I'll take the loss, and your husband's health is more important than money." However, per insurance requirements, legally I cannot.