From: Mike Lorrey (mlorrey@datamann.com)
Date: Thu Jan 17 2002 - 13:03:12 MST
Damien Broderick wrote:
>
> Pfizer to Offer Drug Discount to Low-Income Elderly
>
> Pfizer said it would offer its drugs to low-income elderly
> people for a flat fee of $15 a month for each prescription.
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/16/business/16DRUG.html?todaysheadlines
>
> ====================
>
> Lucky sick old Americans will thus pay only 50% more than everyone in Oz
> for the same drugs. This is better, of course, than 600% more, as
> currently. I'm assuming that this PR beneficence will be met with muted
> approval by most extropians, although of course it implies that all
> Pfizer's more well-heeled and younger customers will be paying a hidden but
> regressive levy to cover their corporate generosity. What's the sentiment
> of the house?
I thoroughly endorse private charity like this. This is entirely within
the standards of capitalism, where individuals are free to choose who
they want to aid and with how much, as well as free to publicly
embarrass others into giving what they think should be given.
The think you are leaving out, Damien, is that the Oz government is
still getting the other 50% out of you some other way anyways....
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