Letters to the Editor
This letter is associated with the following article:
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the real role for government
is exploring the areas of healthcare with positive externalities and negative profits.
for example, nutrients as opposed to drugs. nutrients can't be patented, and aren't profitable, but they could be very important to lower healthcare costs.
private firms won't explore areas with negative profits aggressively. but government could.
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positive externality, positive profit :: private firm, gov subsidy
positive externality, negative profit :: gov r&d
negative externality, positive profit :: private r&d, gov tax
negative externality, negative profit :: illegal