California voters perhaps quickly weigh in on a controversial new care measure named after Luigi Mangione, the Ivy League grad accused of murdering the CEO of UnitedHealthcare in warm heart.
The proposed legislation, dubbed the” Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act”, was introduced by retired Los Angeles prosecutor Paul Eisner, who admitted that naming it after Mangione was a deliberate strategy to bring attention to the issue.
Eisner’s plan seeks to avoid insurance firms from “delaying, denying, or modifying any medical treatment or drugs” prescribed by a physician if such deeds could result in serious injury. According to records filed with the California attorney general’s office, the measure aims to eliminate coverage methods that could lead to “disability, death, surgery, permanent deformity, or loss of physical work”.
The law’s brand has drawn sharp criticism, particularly given the terrible nature of the crime Mangione is accused of committing. The CEO of United Healthcare, Brian Thompson, was shot and killed in Manhattan next December, and authorities found bullet casings at the crime scene marked with the words “delay” and “deny”. Officials believe the texts were inspired by the text” Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Spend Says and What You Can Do On It”.
Despite the reaction, Eisner defended his determination to associate the act with Mangione, telling CBS 8,” It is getting the consideration it needs, because sometimes issues require publicity”. While he insists he does not accept Mangione’s activities, Eisner corresponds with his broader information about insurance business methods.
” I agree with what he was arguing, but I don’t help his approach. What I am doing is the right way to accomplish it”, Eisner said.
The program has sparked heated discussion online, with some condemning its partnership with an accused criminal.
” ‘ THE LUIGI MANGIONI ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE ACT ‘ Deeply???? A poll action about heath care submitted immediately to the California Attorney General is named after the accused criminal. Crazy”, blogger Gerald Posner wrote on X.
Audio manufacturer Leigh Wolf also criticised the move, saying,” I’m starting to suspect the Democrats in charge of California may actually just be simple roads loons after all”.
If passed, the measure would empower patients to sue insurance companies for wrongful denials and seek attorney fees and triple damages. The public comment period for the proposal runs until April 25, after which the attorney general’s office will review the initiative and assign an official title. To make it onto the November 2026 ballot, the measure must garner over 546, 000 valid signatures from registered California voters.
Meanwhile, Mangione remains in custody, facing murder charges in both New York and federal courts. He has pleaded not guilty. Despite the accusations against him, he has amassed a following of supporters who have raised funds for his legal defense, sent him fan mail, and even allegedly threatened witnesses in the case.
