Juneteenth

The Quiet Discrimination in Insurance

Juneteenth marks the official end of slavery in the United States, but economic shackles still rattle loud and clear in neighborhoods that never got a fair shot. You want to know how the modern-day game is played? Follow the money, right into the pockets of insurance companies.

Take UnitedHealth. While under criminal investigation for alleged Medicare fraud, this behemoth still posted fat profits. Imagine getting investigated for potentially fleecing taxpayers while cashing billion-dollar checks. That’s not healthcare—that’s hustle.

You think redlining’s over? Not by a long shot. Decades after it was outlawed, communities of color are still paying more for less coverage, or getting denied outright. Homes in Black and Brown neighborhoods are undervalued. Risk is exaggerated. Premiums stay high. That’s not underwriting, that’s discrimination with a spreadsheet.

Then there’s Medicaid and Medicare. Poor? Sick? You’re not a patient; you’re an opportunity. Medicare Advantage pays insurers more for “sicker” patients, and guess what? Some companies just happen to find ways to code people sicker than they are. It’s a racket.

Smoking? That’ll cost you extra. And guess who’s more likely to smoke? People living with stress, poverty, and targeted advertising. Minorities. The same folks who live near chemical plants and nuclear dumps. The same folks who get served junk food instead of fresh produce. The same folks told to “pull themselves up” in neighborhoods where the only ladder is broken.

So when Juneteenth rolls around, remember this: Freedom isn’t just about chains. It’s about choices. And when those choices are limited, manipulated, or denied; you’ve still got a system that profits off inequality.

Let’s stop pretending this is all just a coincidence. It’s not. It’s a design.

And it’s time we redesign it. But let’s be fair, progress is real.

In the last two decades, we’ve witnessed history. The election of a Black president wasn’t just a milestone, it was a statement. A signal that the ceiling could crack, and that hope could vote its way in.

Educational doors that were once bolted shut have opened wider than ever. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are gaining support, enrollment, and funding. Programs in tech, law, and finance are reaching deeper into underserved communities, bringing opportunity where before there was only obstacle.

And Black wealth? It’s growing. Black-owned businesses are rising. Homeownership rates are inching upward. Cultural influence is global. Entrepreneurship is exploding, despite the roadblocks.

That’s not just survival. That’s momentum.

So yes, the system’s still skewed. Yes, the game is still rigged in many ways. But let’s not ignore the wins. Let’s multiply them.

Because progress isn’t a straight line. It’s a grind. And we’re still climbing.