Is the internet an essential service? If so, should the government regulate internet service prices? This past January, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that internet access was a “fundamental right” as New York’s Affordable Broadband Act (ABA) went into effect. This law requires that internet service providers (ISPs) in the state provide low-cost internet access to qualifying low-income households. ISPs argued that the ABA would increase demand on their networks and raise their expenditures, while the low state-set prices would not provide them with the necessary money to cover these additional costs. According to these ISPs, this will lower internet speeds for all state residents, regardless of whether they have internet access through the ABA or under an ordinary internet plan. A California legislator recently introduced a similar bill in her state. She argued that families need to access the internet for education, telehealth, employment opportunities, and more.

The high cost of medicine affords wealthier people a better opportunity for health than others. The recent “trend” of using Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications for weight loss highlighted this disparity. To prevent increasing costs, should pharmacies and physicians be allowed to compound ingredients of patented drugs owned by pharmaceutical companies even when there is no drug shortage?