In 2009, UnitedHealth, a leading insurance company, paid $350

In the words of Bernie Sanders, "In 2009, UnitedHealth, a leading insurance company, paid $350 million to settle lawsuits brought by the American Medical Association and other physician groups for shortchanging consumers and physicians for medical services outside its preferred network." These words expose a deep injustice that reverberates through the corridors of the modern healthcare system, where those who are meant to heal are often caught in a web of greed, manipulation, and exploitation. Sanders’ statement underscores the growing divide between the interests of the healthcare industry and the well-being of the people it is meant to serve. The settlement of a $350 million lawsuit tells a tale not just of legal action, but of systemic abuse, where profit too often takes precedence over the moral obligation to care for others.

The ancients understood that the pursuit of profit and self-interest could sometimes corrupt the very institutions meant to serve the greater good. In the writings of Plato, we find his famous critique of the soul of the city-state, which is built not on justice but on the exploitation of the weak for the gain of the powerful. In his Republic, Plato warns that when power, wealth, and influence are concentrated in the hands of a few, society becomes unequal and corrupt. The actions of UnitedHealth, which was found guilty of misleading consumers and physicians for its own benefit, mirrors the ancient critiques of those who would exploit systems of care for their own gain.

Consider the story of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, who famously declared, "Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food." Hippocrates believed that the practice of medicine should be grounded in ethics and compassion, a calling to care for the sick rather than profit from their misfortune. The Hippocratic Oath, which has guided physicians for centuries, stresses that doctors must act in the best interest of their patients, without regard for personal or financial gain. The events Sanders references, where an insurance company exploits the very people it is meant to support, stand in stark contrast to this ancient wisdom. The betrayal of the Hippocratic principle by companies like UnitedHealth underscores the growing dissonance between the noble profession of medicine and the profit-driven forces that seek to control it.

In the story of Galen, the Roman physician who became one of the most influential figures in the history of medicine, we see a man who sought not to profit from his knowledge, but to serve humanity. Galen worked not for personal wealth but for the advancement of knowledge and the well-being of society. His approach to medicine was rooted in the understanding that the doctor’s duty is to serve, not to exploit. When looking at the practices of contemporary health insurers, it is hard not to see the stark contrast to Galen’s ideal, where medical services and care are no longer seen as rights, but as commodities to be bought and sold.

The lesson of Sanders' words, and the broader critique of corporate medicine, is that profit should never override the fundamental responsibility to care for others. The ancients taught us that the role of the healer—whether as a doctor or a leader—is not to manipulate or exploit, but to serve the people with justice and integrity. Hippocrates and Galen remind us that the true measure of medicine lies not in financial transactions, but in its ability to heal, to restore, and to uplift. The modern healthcare system, as Sanders points out, has strayed too far from this noble ideal, allowing the pursuit of profit to undermine the very principles of care and compassion that should define the practice of medicine.

As we reflect on these lessons, let us ask ourselves: how can we bring the values of justice, compassion, and integrity back into our own lives, especially in a world where systems of power often exploit the vulnerable? How can we ensure that our actions, whether in healthcare or any other field, are motivated by the well-being of others, not by personal gain? Just as Hippocrates taught, we must put the well-being of others first—whether in our professional work, our personal relationships, or our civic duties. Let us strive to build systems of care and justice that prioritize human dignity over profit, and that seek to heal rather than harm.

Let us stand against the forces that seek to exploit and shortchange others, whether in healthcare, business, or any other field. Let us demand a world where justice and compassion are not just ideals, but realities that shape the systems that govern us. Just as Socrates spoke of the need for true virtue in leadership, so too must we insist on virtue in every area of life, including the healthcare system. The path forward is one of reform, driven by the desire to heal, to restore, and to care—not for profit, but for the well-being of all.