In context, I think GP meant "open" from a sociopolitical point of view. The "taxi-industrial complex" had minimal political power, so Uber was repeatedly able

In context, I think GP meant "open" from a sociopolitical point of view. The "taxi-industrial complex" had minimal political power, so Uber was repeatedly able to steamroll the incumbents - exactly as you describe in your final sentence. Medical interests have immense sociopolitical power, so the same playbook won't work. The differences in your positions are merely semantic.