Extortion by EpiPen and Atena

Two recent pieces of news from the drug industry I wanted to share with the politically-savvy and knowledgeable Steemit community. 

1) "The Cost Of A Life-Saving EpiPen Has Increased 400% Since 2007" for full article click here. 

I didn't know the importance of an EpiPen, until I accidentally walked in on a co-worker in the bathroom. She was hyperventilating by the sink. It turns out, she was highly allergic to nuts and was suffering an attack. She survived but an EpiPen is a life-saving device for many allergy-sufferers. We had the same position in the company so I knew exactly what her salary was. Many families are reeling from the skyrocketing cost of the EpiPen. The shareholders are doing just fine.

2) Aetna Threatens Obamacare

In July 2016, Aetna CEO and model citizen, Mark Bertolini, threw a hissy fit if the US Dept. of Justice refused to approval his merger with Humana. Bertolini threatened to withdraw Aetna from the ACA's numerous health insurance exchanges. That's a reduction in operating from 15 states to 4, which disrupts coverage for many. 

The DOJ concerned about how the merger of these two mega-insurance companies would present anti-competition and monopoly problems, sued to block it. 

My caveat is that I'm not that familiar with the inner-workings of the healthcare industry and these issues are more complex than what is presented here. However, why does it feel that ordinary Americans are caught in the middle of a healthcare war that doesn't have their interest at heart?