Biden launches action on "Big Tech, Big Pharma, and Big Ag" – can it be real? • Hacker News Board

Re: Biden launches action on "Big Tech, Big Pharma, and Big Ag" – can it be real?

#231

Post by whearyou » Mon, Jul 12, 2021, 1:12 AM UTC

giantg2 wrote: post #63

deregulateMed wrote: post #35

Big pharma is significantly less of a problem than the physician and hospital cartels. I have no idea why these groups have survived scrutiny for their literal multi-hundred million dollar lobbying/bribery of politicians. My closest guess is that we all know "My" physician or a well paid nurse that benefits from the bribery.

I don't see most physicians being an issue. Many of them are fed up with the insurance, pharma, and regulations. Most are forced to work for large providers instead of being independent just due to the overhead of dealing with digital record systems, legal, insurance billing, etc.

Seen the same

Re: Biden launches action on "Big Tech, Big Pharma, and Big Ag" – can it be real?

#232

Post by spaetzleesser » Mon, Jul 12, 2021, 1:13 AM UTC

epistasis wrote: post #205

bushbaba wrote: post #197

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Price transparency plus high deductible plans would drive the cost of health insurance down. Health insurance is supposed to cover you for catastrophic health issues that were previously unknown. For some reason it changed to also cover all your recurring or minor illnesses.

I'm not so sure. There's a lot of waste in all of our health care system, and many areas are served by few care providers. Transparency on prices without effective competition won't change much.

You have to start somewhere. Knowable prices are the first prerequisite for markets.

Re: Biden launches action on "Big Tech, Big Pharma, and Big Ag" – can it be real?

#233

Post by spaetzleesser » Mon, Jul 12, 2021, 1:14 AM UTC

giantg2 wrote: post #55

the-dude wrote: post #10

> hospital price transparency, Wasn't this already put in place by the previous administration?

Only for billing cost of procedures. It's still a mess. Did you know that hospitals make money by using name brand medications? They will get a contract with a brand, like Motrin, and charge you full price at $8 a pill. Then Motrin will will evaluate how much the hospital used and give them a big rebate to bring the hospital's cost down under $1 per pill. You can literally buy a bottle of ibuprofen for what they char…

As far as pricing goes I view US hospitals basically as money grabbing scam operations. What they are doing is just insane. It’s hard to believe Americans are putting up with this nonsense or even defend it.

Re: Biden launches action on "Big Tech, Big Pharma, and Big Ag" – can it be real?

#234

Post by nr3msd » Mon, Jul 12, 2021, 1:14 AM UTC

epistasis wrote: post #199

ozfive wrote: post #182

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why is this being downvoted?!?!

Too political without basis, I would guess.

The basis is so completely obvious though, if your health is badly compromised then you will be much less able to make good decisions in any circumstances, let alone dealing with the current for-profit healthcare system in the US.

You Americans are getting so screwed... I got 4 separate X-ray scans done for $40 recently, modern machine, sent home with physical copies and USB, etc.

Re: Biden launches action on "Big Tech, Big Pharma, and Big Ag" – can it be real?

#235

Post by spaetzleesser » Mon, Jul 12, 2021, 1:17 AM UTC

deregulateMed wrote: post #35

Big pharma is significantly less of a problem than the physician and hospital cartels. I have no idea why these groups have survived scrutiny for their literal multi-hundred million dollar lobbying/bribery of politicians. My closest guess is that we all know "My" physician or a well paid nurse that benefits from the bribery.

I think pretty much all players in the US health system are a problem. They all benefit to some degree from this corruption. If I had to pick the worst I would name hospitals. But everybody else profits handsomely too.

Re: Biden launches action on "Big Tech, Big Pharma, and Big Ag" – can it be real?

#236

Post by chiefalchemist » Mon, Jul 12, 2021, 1:21 AM UTC

It's about control. These "Big" companies are in a position to collect plenty of data about the market - companies and individuals. They are now able to do what previously was exclusive (read: monopoly) to the government.

I'm not defending "Big *", simply noting that historical context is mostly irrelevant. The game is different now. The rules also different. It's not about markets and dominance. It's not about economic monopolies. It's about control. Control of the future. Control of the narrative.

Re: Biden launches action on "Big Tech, Big Pharma, and Big Ag" – can it be real?

#237

Post by josh_today » Mon, Jul 12, 2021, 1:21 AM UTC

Executive orders were a constant theme of the previous administration. It was the first time that I’ve really heard about them consistently as a presidential technique and similarly as much in the media.

The lower executive order numbers from the previous 2 administrations before made me think that these were tools used for media attention when I kept hearing about them.

Now the current administration is using them (for causes that I hope will benefit) and I’m wondering are these going to hold weight or is this another media ploy?

Re: Biden launches action on "Big Tech, Big Pharma, and Big Ag" – can it be real?

#238

Post by jbluepolarbear » Mon, Jul 12, 2021, 1:21 AM UTC

dukeofdoom wrote: post #221

Is he really in a position to keep doing this? Biden recorder the most votes in history, while winning the fewest counties. That's a head scratcher. The fact remains most of the geographic area of the country voted red. If he keeps this up, states are going to start ignoring his executive orders. That's not how democracy is supposed to work. Laws get passed by legislature, not by dictate of the King.

Go home QAnon.

Re: Biden launches action on "Big Tech, Big Pharma, and Big Ag" – can it be real?

#239

Post by jbluepolarbear » Mon, Jul 12, 2021, 1:23 AM UTC

Black101 wrote: post #226

jbluepolarbear wrote: post #223

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Vile

it is not my fault that they are being let run free

Oh I’m not calling you vile. The insurance companies are. Mine is already very intertwined with the hospitals in my area.

Re: Biden launches action on "Big Tech, Big Pharma, and Big Ag" – can it be real?

#240

Post by jbluepolarbear » Mon, Jul 12, 2021, 1:25 AM UTC

dukeofdoom wrote: post #221

Is he really in a position to keep doing this? Biden recorder the most votes in history, while winning the fewest counties. That's a head scratcher. The fact remains most of the geographic area of the country voted red. If he keeps this up, states are going to start ignoring his executive orders. That's not how democracy is supposed to work. Laws get passed by legislature, not by dictate of the King.

Since my other got flagged, you’re clearly a confused person. You post videos of trumps lies and defend some narrative that does harm to our democracy. The election was won by Biden.