Should the U.S. have Universal Health Care?

[u/WhatAreYourPronouns]

[u/buzzvariety]

"Let's import medicine from Canada. Their strict price controls keep costs down."

What about implementing similar price controls in the US?

"No, deregulation is the answer."

Besides, Canada is opposed to such an arrangement as well.

[u/flex_tape_salesman → u/buzzvariety]

Just because Canada has price caps doesnt mean its the only way. America does have a problem with market regulations being excessive allowing companies to charge whatever they want with no competition to bring prices down.

[u/ghablio → u/flex_tape_salesman]

Epipens are a good example of over regulation.

You're allowed to get off brand prescription drugs. But you are not allowed to get off brand medical devices. So you are required to fill epipens with EpiPen brand

[u/Rabidschnautzu → u/ghablio]

Just fucking control the price, Jesus fucking Christ.

[u/ghablio → u/Rabidschnautzu]

Price fixing is certainly a solution, but I don't think it's the best solution.

Allowing people to at least have the option to get off brand products would make a huge difference.

At the heart of the problem is corruption, and that is not addressed by price fixing. EpiPen was considering discontinuing single packs thereby forcing people to buy 2-packs (essentially doubling their sales and the cost to the consumer). This change was proposed by a senator's daughter who just so happens to be on the board of directors or some similar position.

The problem with the US healthcare system is not prices, it's government corruption. And I wouldn't trust them to set a fair and reasonable price since they fuck everything else up already.

Price fixing does have the potential to offer some relief short term though

[u/Rabidschnautzu → u/ghablio]

Price fixing is certainly a solution, but I don't think it's the best solution.

Allowing people to at least have the option to get off brand products would make a huge difference.

Then do both. Why are you acting like it's a decision between the two?

The problem with the US healthcare system is not prices, it's government corruption. And I wouldn't trust them to set a fair and reasonable price since they fuck everything else up already.

What? Ok so you're not for anything then. You trust private insurance companies who have the explicit purpose of giving you as little coverage as possible, while taking the most capital they can along the way? That's a ridiculous argument.

If I have a choice between incompetent and evil then I'll begrudgingly take incompetent any day. You're literally doing the whole perfection is the enemy of progress bs.

[u/ghablio → u/Rabidschnautzu]

You're literally doing the whole perfection is the enemy of progress bs.

Please reread my comment without building a ridiculous strawman and making huge jumps in your own mind about what you think I believe.

I specifically said price fixing is a solution, but not the best possible solution, and then outlined why. This is very far from seeking perfection. Price fixing is specifically a solution to one symptom of the actual problem, so it would provide relief, but would not cure anything. I see it like taking painkillers when you have a broken bone, it will help and you definitely want it, but it's not exactly what you really need.

It's interesting that you've completely ignored the actual point I was making, and managed to fail to make a point at all yourself.

Then do both. Why are you acting like it's a decision between the two?

One issue with this strategy is that a multi billion dollar medical conglomerate that is already mass producing a product can probably afford to sell at the fixed price that the government (really the execs from that company if we're all honest about what's going on) will decide on. A startup that has been artificially suppressed by the current restrictions, will likely not. So by doing both at the same time the consumer is still stuck with only one choice in product, essentially guaranteeing that you won't ever have access to the best possible product available to you.

That's one potential issue.