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> (Also, the government should be a lot more aggressive, and licensing bodies more strict, on penalties against these companies. Yank the medical licenses from
by joshstrange 4y ago
> (Also, the government should be a lot more aggressive, and licensing bodies more strict, on penalties against these companies. Yank the medical licenses from medical directors, slam some FTC decrees on named individuals, and put some execs in prison -- rather than, say, letting them go on to get elected to the Senate -- and the risks to medical fraud will start to outweigh the value for a lot of people.)
It's so incredibly depressing how the people at the "top" (the ones running the companies) always manage to skirt any consequences at all for their actions (and no, a fine that is a tiny % of the profit they made is not a consequence). I agree, we need to start sending CEO's and other C-level people to prison, pull their licenses, and not allow them to run companies in the future (or at least for a period of time) to disincentivize this disgusting behavior. And before I hear about how screwed up our prison system is: I know. We need major prison reform but keeping the rich/powerful out of prison does nothing to help that. In fact I'd argue it hurts it, the people who have means to fight against it never have to experience it themselves. Reform is needed but until then it'd sure be nice if we applied the law a little more evenly/equally. I'm not sure how some kid selling weed on a corner can end in prison but an exec that defrauds the government/public for millions/billions can walk away scot-free.
- HillRat 4y agoInterestingly, both HHS and IRS have law enforcement arms that are extremely effective and could be used more extensively in these cases, but they're overburdened dealing with things like opioid prescription crimes (which are worthy of prosecution, but could also be handled entirely within the DOJ). Folks I've known in those agencies are often frustrated by the fact that they're not spending their time going after complex white-collar frauds that they're specifically equipped to handle. Like you say, it's like Anatole France's old line about the "majestic equality of the law" forbidding rich and poor alike from sleeping under bridges.
- SoftTalker 4y ago> Folks I've known in those agencies are often frustrated by the fact that they're not spending their time going after complex white-collar frauds that they're specifically equipped to handle. Well, that would expose people who don't want to be exposed, and who conveniently (for themselves) also control the funding of these agencies.
- halpmeh 4y agoHow would the IRS do anything? I'm sure these businesses are paying their taxes on the ill-gotten proceeds.
- treeman79 4y agoOpioid crimes are weird. I’ve known several people who have self destructed on them. I’ve also got horrific nerve pain that left me for years wishing for death. Doctors constantly refused to give me anything other then occasional 30 day supplies. Yet at same time they refused to discuss alternative treatments. Even when I would bring them articles and papers and support forums. Finally I turned to sketchy website to get a fairly common drug LDN. That solved my pain problems which also makes it so that i can’t take opioids. I still haven’t found an in person doctor that will prescribe it.
- LocalH 4y agoPain management is weird, especially in the US, in that they'd rather let untold numbers of people suffer in pain just to attempt to prevent someone else from using the same substances without being in pain. Imagine if crime was handled this way. "Well, we understand that you might not be guilty, but what message would letting you go send to those who are guilty?"
- hgsgm 4y ago
- spoonjim 4y agoOne of the few things I like about the Chinese government is that they execute serious white collar criminals.