California voters may soon be presented with a ballot measure limiting insurance companies’ ability to deny coverage, with the legislation bearing the name of a man currently accused of murder.
The “Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act,” named after the 26-year-old Ivy League grad who allegedly assassinated UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December, seeks to reform insurance practices by making it illegal for insurers to delay or deny doctor-recommended procedures if it could result in “disability, death, amputation, permanent disfigurement, loss or reduction of any bodily function.”
Learn more about the all-new VT News and subscribe today!
The words “delay” and “deny,” as well as “depose,” were notably found on bullet casings at the crime scene, linking Mangione’s alleged actions with frustrations over the health insurance industry. These words are believed to have been pulled from the book Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It by Jay M. Feinman.
Retired attorney Paul Eisner, who proposed the initiative, claims it is a publicity stunt to draw attention to the issue. As he told CBS 8, “It is getting the attention it needs, because sometimes things require publicity.”
However, he emphasizes that while he supports the goals of reducing insurer power, he does not endorse Mangione’s violent actions.
“People are tired of carriers, of insurance companies denying them health care,” he added. “I agree with what [Mangione] was arguing, but I don’t support his method. What I am doing is the right way to do it.”
Critics of the measure have expressed outrage over its association with a murderer, with Fox News’ Jimmy Failla quipping, “We don’t name legislation after murderers. If we did, we’d have a marriage act named after O.J. Simpson.”
"We don't name legislation after murderers."@jimmyfailla reacts to a proposed California ballot initiative, the ‘Luigi Mangione Act,’ which would limit health insurers’ ability to deny care. pic.twitter.com/8AiXhOSdyk
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 28, 2025
The initiative is under review by the California Attorney General’s Office, with a public comment period open until April 25.
If successful, the measure would place the decision-making power solely in the hands of licensed physicians and impose severe penalties on insurers who unjustifiably deny claims.
Connor Walcott is the lead writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
Got a hot scoop or an idea for a story? Connect with the VT writers on Minnect!
Add comment