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Ted's avatar

Ya think? Demand is high, demand is consistent. In a free market with competition and many suppliers should equal increased production, and prices fall. Prices are high because there are not enough suppliers, and/or the few monopolies are colluding/price fixing.

Why is it that when big insurance and big pharma collude it’s capitalism? And when Govt seeks to regulate to prevent monopolies it’s Socialism?

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Charlie Grantham (Tucson)'s avatar

I tried to 'heart' this. didn't work. Let's just cut to the chase here.

The US Healthcare system is a giant ass money laundering machine. It is deliberately fragmented to increase profit margins at each step along the care giving path.

It could best be called the 'illness profit system'.

Congress is 'rented' by big pharma and insurance companies. They also lack any moral courage and call anything that helps the other guy 'socialism'. My guess is that they also could not pass a freshman level course in political economy or define 'socialism'.

I think I need more coffee now.

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Annie D Stratton's avatar

Yes, you do. I do, too. But I got a favor to ask, Charlie. Please be careful when you use the word "they" as an encompassing plural and be specific about who you are talking to. Because not all members of Congress are owned, and not every pharmaceutical company rips off the public. You are right that overall our health system is set up backwards. But not everybody in it operates that way.

I live in a state which, while not "universal" or "single payer", has taken large steps in that direction. And legislators and others are working to resurrect the universal health care plan that one of our former governors scuttled a few years ago. Other states are moving in that direction as well, some further along than others.

BTW, that particular governor had to promise not to run for reelection before he was sworn in for his second term because so many people were pissed at him. He lives in another state now, and we're good with that. Especially when we learned that he was involved with people pulling a Ponzi on the state and investors in a state-supported project. He kind of slid out of that, but it is wise of him to not publicize when he was in state giving his deposition.)

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

Oh gawwwd…hope he’s not in CA!

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

I couldn’t ❤️ what you just said. That is the real reason these despicables are in bed with Big Pharma. Hell, I wouldn’t doubt if some in Congress aren’t “drugged out”.

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Bruce Sellers (Georgia, USA)'s avatar

Well, according to NC Rep. Cawthorn they're doing cocaine and having orgies, so...

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

Isn’t he just a living doll!🤬🤬 he speaks the truth, however.

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Annie D Stratton's avatar

Bingo, Ted. In a nutshell. That's a message that needs to get out, too.

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MaryPat's avatar

May I quote you on that (collusion) Ted?!

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