Abstract

The United States has some of the best and most technologically advanced medical care in the world but, like some other necessities of life, like affordable housing and higher education, it’s not equally available to all who need it. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that in this country medical care is horrendously expensive and there are differing theories as to why this is so. Some medical economists point to powerful pharmaceutical companies, sometimes called Big Pharma, who charge exorbitant rates for some drugs. Why do they do this? Because they can charge whatever they want. Recent tax cuts for corporations have increased their overall profit margin, and there is little evidence that the increased cash flow will be passed on to consumers or to employees.