Don't confuse different businesses with a monopoly.
You don't have to control every aspect of a business to monopolize it.
If you control distribution on the vast majority of a product in a way
that inhibits competition, and allows you to control pricing and total
availability of that product, you have a monopoly.
Getting the government to look int it (which we don't want) is different than
what's easily apparent.
Consider University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. UPMC.
Once a hospital, they started an insurance company.
They branched out all over Western Pa,
Buying up a huge chunk of the hospitals.
Now they have a presence in Ireland? and are in Maryland and expanding.
Than refused to do business with Blue Cross/Shield. (Long story, shortened)
Forcing people to buy their insurance, if they want to be able to use it.
Now, they have used their control of the hospitals to strongarm the doctors.
If they want privileges at the hospitals, they have to sell out to UPMC.
There are no longer buildings that say Dr. John Smith Orthopedics.
Now, it's UPMC Orthopedics.
A number of our better docs have left. They aren't allowed to practice
medicine as a doctor caring for patients. As employees the are forced
to practice assembly line medicine. Have to meet per hour and per day quotas.
No flexibility in hours or able to see walking or make right now appointments.
Pigeon hole medicine only.
There was a Med-express type deal going to be opened here.
UPMC quietly announced plans to open one if their own.
Of course, the proposed one died on the vine. No one would be able
to use insurance there if it competed with UPMC.
They never built one. They only ensured you go to their ER. Helping
to keep it rolling in money with $300 co-pays.
All this while maintaining Tax Free status,
and paying CEO Romoff $8.5 million/year and 9 others over a million per year.
And nobody that matters thinks this is a monopoly!
Last edited by Dillonbuck; 12/04/20.
