Under duress
Aug. 2nd, 2011 07:21 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anansi133It's a well established legal doctrine that contracts made while under duress are not binding.
So, what does that mean with all that fucking paperwork you're supposed to sign in the emergency room of the hospital? Of course you're going to sign whatever they hand you: you're in life threatening pain!
And from the supply side of things it makes even less sense. Capitalism presupposes competition, things like price and quality of service. But at the time these services are needed, the consumer is in no condition to shop around. Even if one is looking around ahead of time, it's not like there's any meaningful competition from these providers against each other.
I'd say medicine in the US is fundamentally broken, and will remain so as long as it's a for-profit venture.
So, what does that mean with all that fucking paperwork you're supposed to sign in the emergency room of the hospital? Of course you're going to sign whatever they hand you: you're in life threatening pain!
And from the supply side of things it makes even less sense. Capitalism presupposes competition, things like price and quality of service. But at the time these services are needed, the consumer is in no condition to shop around. Even if one is looking around ahead of time, it's not like there's any meaningful competition from these providers against each other.
I'd say medicine in the US is fundamentally broken, and will remain so as long as it's a for-profit venture.
