California's Proposed Health Care Legislation Sparks Controversy

California is on the brink of potentially approving the ‘Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act,’ a legislative effort designed to curb detrimental practices by insurance companies. Despite its controversial namesake—linked to an accused murderer—the bill’s primary focus is to prevent insurers from unnecessarily delaying or denying essential medical treatments. If enacted, patients would gain the right to sue for wrongful denials. Public commentary is open until April 25.

Voters in California may soon consider a provocative health care initiative named after Luigi Mangione, an Ivy League graduate accused of killing the UnitedHealthcare CEO. The proposed law, known as the “Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act,” was put forth by retired Los Angeles attorney Paul Eisner. He acknowledged that the decision to name it after Mangione was an intentional move to draw attention to the issue.

Eisner’s proposition aims to bar insurance companies from “delaying, denying, or altering any medical procedure or medication” prescribed by doctors if such actions could lead to severe harm. According to the filings with the California attorney general’s office, the measure seeks to eradicate practices that might result in “disability, death, amputation, permanent disfigurement, or loss of bodily function.”

The naming of the act has met with swift criticism, especially given the gruesome act Mangione is charged with. Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot in Manhattan last December, with investigators discovering bullet casings at the scene marked “delay” and “deny.” These inscriptions appear to draw inspiration from the book “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.”

Despite the criticism, Eisner defended using Mangione’s name for the bill, telling CBS 8, “It’s gaining the attention it needs, because sometimes publicity is necessary.” While condemning Mangione’s methods, Eisner aligns with his broader critique of insurance companies’ practices.

“I agree with his arguments but not with his methods,” Eisner stated. “What I am doing is the right approach.” The initiative has sparked intense online debate, with many voicing disapproval of its association with an alleged murderer.

Journalist Gerald Posner expressed shock on X, writing, “‘THE LUIGI MANGIONI ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE ACT’ Seriously???? A ballot initiative about health care submitted today to the California Attorney General is named after the accused killer. Crazy.” Podcaster Leigh Wolf criticized the move, suggesting, “I’m beginning to think the Democrats running California might actually be simple roadside lunatics.”

If approved, the measure would empower patients to pursue legal action against insurance companies over wrongful denials, seeking attorney fees and triple damages. The public has until April 25 to comment, after which the attorney general will review and assign an official title to the initiative. To appear on the November 2026 ballot, the proposal must collect over 546,000 valid signatures from registered California voters.

Meanwhile, Mangione remains in custody, facing murder charges in New York and federal courts, having pleaded not guilty. Despite the charges, he has garnered a following of supporters who have contributed to his legal defense, sent him fan mail, and allegedly threatened witnesses in his case.