California’s proposed healthcare measure, the “Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act,” has generated widespread controversy due to its naming after Luigi Mangione, the Ivy League graduate accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024, according to the New York Post. The initiative, introduced by retired attorney Paul Eisner, aims to prohibit insurance companies from delaying, denying, or modifying doctor-recommended treatments when such actions could lead to severe harm or death.
According to The Post, Eisner claims that while he does not agree with Mangione’s method of bringing attention to the healthcare issue, he suggested that using Mangione’s name will give the act “the attention it needs.”
“Sometimes things require publicity,” he said.
“I agree with what he was arguing, but I don’t support his method. What I am doing is the right way to do it,” Eisner said.
Mangione’s alleged crime was a targeted shooting outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel before an investor meeting for UnitedHealth Group. Evidence against him includes writings expressing frustration with the U.S. healthcare system and disdain for corporate America. Mangione’s notebook reportedly contained detailed plans for the attack and included phrases like “delay, deny, defend,” commonly associated with insurance practices. The terms “delay” and “deny” were found on the bullet casings uncovered at the scene of the crime. The book “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It” has also been referenced as part of a possible inspiration for the act.
Mangione reportedly viewed his actions as a symbolic challenge to corruption in the industry, according to The Post.
Despite Mangione’s privileged background—he was a University of Pennsylvania graduate and valedictorian of a private Baltimore high school—friends described him as humble and believed he would have a bright future. However, his writings revealed increasing isolation and fixation on UnitedHealthcare, culminating in plans for the alleged attack. Law enforcement sources consider his writings significant in the investigation.
Eisner defended naming the act after Mangione as a way to highlight harmful insurance practices but condemned his violent actions. Critics, however, have called the decision offensive and inappropriate.
If passed, the measure would “allow patients to sue insurers and potentially receive attorney fees and triple damages.”
According to The Post, “The public comment period for the proposed measure ends on April 25. After, the Attorney General’s office will review the initiative and craft its official title. The measure must gather over 546,000 valid signatures from registered California voters to be included on the November 2026 ballot.”
Despite being charged with murder in both New York and federal courts, to which he has pleaded not guilty, Luigi Mangione has garnered a devoted following. His supporters have raised funds for his legal defense, flooded him with admiring fan mail, and even threatened witnesses.
Californicate constantly suprises me with their Governor and Legislatures’ collective idiocy. 😊
Blame it on the voters.
What in the world has happened to the thinking of people? Way too many support this killers actions and it is just a sick state of mind. I would like to see how they would feel if these things happened to loved ones of theirs…if they are even capable of love and/or empathy. The government needs to be reduced and get out of healthcare/insurance but again there are so many now that think they have all of the answers and believe they can solve things.
Only Democrats would name a bill after a murderer and domestic terrorist. Ever wonder why the DNC is always OVERTLY on the side of the bad guys?
The lowlife lawyer is just another way they manipulate the legal system for their own enrichment They are as bad if not worse than the health care system. Just look what they’ve done to the government
Funny how the anti gun crew now celebrates a man who murdered a person because he didn’t like the service he was getting.
The “Party of Harris” now advocates murder in pursuit of social change.
that support him understand that it was Obama that illegally created this Healthcare to keep us binded to government Healthcare so can dictate Healthcare Providers to do what the government wants them to do. For example Frankenstein operations of degendering children covid shots unlimited abortions ect.
Luigi’s is planted the bomb near the capitol??
It is not surprising that Democrats, Socialists, Communists, Anarchists, (i.e., a majority of Californians) wholeheartedly approve of a deranged lunatic murdering and innocent man.
That’s just wrong. Glorify a murderer-no thought of Mr Thompson’s family. Using the murderer’s name isn’t all that great-I had to read the article to remember who he was.
California voters seem to believe everything the old embedded news programs on NBC, ABC and CBS tells them without any critical thinking or investigation to find the truth. While I might agree that the healthcare industry needs to be forced to cover real health problems instead of delaying and denying coverage, naming the bill after an alleged murderer (to use lawyer speak) is just insane.
Also, anyone threatening a witness needs to be arrested and put in jail till the trial is over and he’s executed and fined the cost of their incarceration.
I’m so very glad I was able to move out of California when I retired. Wish I could have done so decades earlier because I could see where the state was headed.