Popular content creator Moist Critical, also known as penguinz0, recently addressed the dire medical situation facing former UFC fighter Ben Askren, using it as a launching point to criticize the American health insurance system. In his characteristic blunt style, Critical expressed his disgust with what he calls “the most corrupt evil industry in this country.”
Ben Askren, the former UFC welterweight and accomplished wrestler, has been fighting for his life after being hospitalized with pneumonia. Askren spent over a month in critical condition but showed signs of recovery, even getting “some of his personality back.” However, the situation has taken a serious turn as doctors have determined that Askren now requires a double lung transplant to survive.
You can DONATE to help with the lung transplant costs.
The most stunning aspect of this medical crisis is that Askren’s health insurance has denied coverage for this life-saving procedure. This denial has forced his family to turn to crowdfunding to raise money for what Critical describes as “one of the most expensive surgeries there is.” The situation perfectly illustrates Critical’s broader point about health insurance companies: “You pay this company to do one thing. And this company’s entire goal, its modus operandi, it’s chous operandi is to find ways to wiggle out of doing the one thing you pay it for.”
Critical was quick to address speculation that Askren had mismanaged his finances, explaining that his family had debunked those rumors. Instead, much of Askren’s wealth is tied up in investments and reinvestment into the sport. Even with significant financial resources, shouldering the cost of a double lung transplant independently presents an enormous burden.
The content creator noted that several fighters have stepped forward to help, and UFC President Dana White shared the fundraiser on his social media. However, Critical expressed surprise that White hadn’t publicly announced a personal donation, given his reputation for spending hundreds of thousands of dollars casually.
“Dana White drops like a couple hundred thousand to like YouTubers just to be nice to them yet I haven’t heard about him himself donating for the Ben Askren life-saving surgery,” Critical observed. He emphasized that while White isn’t required to donate, the amount needed would be relatively insignificant for someone of his wealth, describing it as equivalent to “a night of gambling for him.”
Among those who publicly donated to Askren are UFC commentator Laura Sanko, former MMA star Justin Wren, comedian Sam Tripoli and others. Jake Paul said it “sucks no one is doing anything” to help Ben Askren receive a double lung transplant over the weekend adding:
“None of these people, like Dana, are stepping in. So I feel like I have to do something.”
Critical’s commentary highlights a fundamental problem with the American healthcare system: patients paying premiums for years only to be denied coverage when they need it most. As he put it, health insurance companies operate on a business model that “relies on finding ways of denying you coverage so they can save money on the bottom line while milking you dry your whole life.”
Charlie’s passionate response reflects widespread frustration with a system where life-saving procedures can be denied, leaving families dependent on community generosity rather than the coverage they’ve paid for.
