- Briana Boston was arrested in Lakeland, Florida, after making threatening statements during a phone call with her health insurance provider, BlueCross BlueShield, over a denied medical claim.
- Boston's threat echoed the threat etched on the bullets linked to the recent assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
- The incident highlights the widespread frustrations many Americans have with the healthcare system, particularly regarding denial of health insurance claims.
A Florida mother was arrested after she made threats on a call with her health insurance provider.
The incident, which took place in the home of Briana Boston, 42, in Lakeland, Polk County, has drawn national attention and sparked heated debate regarding the state of healthcare in the United States. (Related: Prime suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's assassination allegedly considered using a BOMB.)
Boston was taken into custody at her home after a heated phone conversation with a representative from BlueCross BlueShield over the denial of a medical claim. Police alleged that Boston ended the call by saying "Delay, deny, depose. You people are next."
Boston's words echo the three words etched onto the bullet casings linked to the recent assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson – "Delay," "Deny" and "Depose." This connection prompted Lakeland Police Department detectives to conduct a thorough investigation.
These threats, coupled with the current environment of heightened tension for individuals working in the health insurance industry, were seen by law enforcement as clear indication that Boston intended to intimidate BlueCross BlueShield.
When confronted by police, Boston claimed she was not a danger to anyone and does not own any firearms. However, she admitted to using those words because "it's what is in the news right now."
Boston further elaborated by saying, "Healthcare companies played games and deserved karma because they are evil." Her comments did little to assuage the fear and anxiety already prevalent in the community, particularly given the recent high-profile murder of Thompson.
Deep-seated frustration with healthcare industry may have driven rise in discontent with health insurance companies
The primary suspect in Thompson's assassination, Luigi Mangione, who was recently arrested in Pennsylvania, allegedly etched those three words onto the bullets he used to shoot Thompson as a direct reference to the title of the 2020 book "Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It" by Rutgers Law School professor emeritus Jay M. Feinman.
The book critically examined the tactics – delaying reviewing claims, denying claims and defending why those claims were rejected – used by insurance companies to avoid paying legitimate claims. This practice, which is designed to limit payouts and increase profitability, has long been a sore point for patients and caregivers alike.
In the current climate, where tensions run high and the healthcare industry is under intense scrutiny, even seemingly innocuous comments can have serious consequences.
"She's been in this world long enough that she certainly should know better that you can't make threats like that and think that we're not going to follow up and put you in jail," said Lakeland Police Chief Sam Tayor.
The judge, recognizing the gravity of the situation, set Boston's bail at a steep $100,000, describing it as "appropriate considering the status of our country at this point."
Watch this clip of Luigi Mangione's attorney discussing the extradition of his client from Pennsylvania to New York.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
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Murder of CEO of UnitedHealthcare may reflect rising discontent with a failing medical system.
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