California health care measure named after alleged killer Luigi Mangione

A new ballot measure in California is named after the alleged killer of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson

A retired attorney introduced the Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act to the Attorney General's Office to prevent health care insurance companies from denying medical treatment to patients in need

The initiative says no insurer may delay, deny, or modify any medical procedure or medication recommended by a physician if it can result in serious harm or death

It states that only physicians have the authority to make changes to a patient's medication or medical procedure, not the insurance company, making it illegal if they do

Author of the proposal, Paul Eisner, included language similar to the words written on the bullets, found at the scene of Thompson's murder in Manhattan, delay and deny

The same terms many insurance companies often use when processing claims from patients or handling disputes

He confirmed to California news station CBS 8 that he chose a name due to the high profile case and because the topic deserves recognition He emphasizes he doesn support Maggione alleged criminal actions Eisner included penalties in the measure making it a felony for anyone who is not a physician to review a decision made by a doctor

The measure would allow individuals in California to sue insurance companies and receive compensation if they win

Mangione's alleged actions have sparked support nationwide with supporters raising more than $700,000

in his defense. While he has pleaded not guilty to Thompson's murder, the incident has triggered

social media conversations about Americans' frustrations with the health care system, particularly

insurance companies and a call for reform. The Attorney General has full discretion to change the name

of the measure while it's under review. However, to get on the November 26th election ballot

it will need more than 546,000 signatures from registered voters. A public comment period is currently

open to gather community feedback, which will end on April 25th. For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey. Find more fact-based news right now on the Straight Arrow News mobile app