Daniel Conderman 
Labels are an incredibly powerful force. Once unleashed, they can take on a life of their own, weaving themselves into the collective consciousness and shaping the way we perceive the world. Labels define narratives, inspire movements, and incite change. And one label in particular is gaining traction in a way that gives me hope: calling health insurance organizations exactly what they are—cartels.
Let’s face it: for far too long, the health insurance industry has operated as an untouchable power, shrouded in misleading language like “providers” or “healthcare partners.” But these terms obscure the truth. Health insurance organizations aren’t partners in health—they are gatekeepers of it. They dictate who gets care, who suffers, and who dies. They bankrupt families, deny treatments, and profit off of fear and sickness. They’re not just businesses; they’re cartels.
The word “cartel” might feel jarring at first, but it’s accurate. A cartel is an organization that controls prices, manipulates supply, and wields power to serve its own interests at the expense of everyone else. Does that sound familiar? Health insurance companies collude with pharmaceutical giants and hospital systems to set exorbitant prices, forcing patients into impossible choices between financial ruin or life-saving care. They use their power to suppress competition, maintain opaque pricing, and perpetuate a system where even basic medical services become a luxury for millions.
The media has been slow to adopt this label. It’s no surprise—after all, health insurance companies have deep pockets and plenty of influence. They sponsor news programs, fund think tanks, and wield advertising dollars like a weapon to control the narrative. But the tide is starting to turn. I’ve noticed more people calling these organizations exactly what they are: healthcare cartels. This shift matters. Words matter. And the more we repeat this truth, the harder it will be for the media to ignore.
The reality is, the system isn’t broken—it’s working exactly as it was designed. It was never built to serve patients. It was built to maximize profits for the cartels that control it. And as long as we use their sanitized language, we allow them to keep hiding behind it. That’s why it’s so important to label them properly. When we call them cartels, we’re not just naming a problem; we’re reframing the way society understands it. We’re shining a light on their corruption and making it clear that their power is illegitimate.
Of course, they’re going to push back. The health insurance industry and its allies will do everything they can to discredit this label. They’ll call it inflammatory, unfair, or even dangerous. They’ll try to redirect the conversation, blaming “government overreach” or “unhealthy lifestyles” for the crises they’ve created. But we can’t let them control the narrative anymore. We have to keep calling them what they are.
If you want to be part of the force for change, start using “Healthcare Cartel” in your everyday vocabulary. When you talk to friends, family, or coworkers about the healthcare system, use this term to highlight the reality of the situation. Share it on social media. Write letters to the editor. Bring it into the public discourse wherever and whenever you can. The more we use this label, the more it will spread. And as it spreads, it will challenge the status quo. It will inspire people to question the system, to demand better, and to refuse to accept the lies we’ve been fed for decades.
The truth is, we live under a cartel. This is not hyperbole; it is fact. And the sooner we name it, the sooner we can confront it. Labels have power. Let’s use that power to expose the truth and ignite the change we desperately need.
