1. Some healthcare companies and clinics have implemented hotlines for medical questions, sometimes under a Call a Nurse format to help people decide when/if theyshould see a doctor. Now imagine a hotline where instead of seeing a doctor face-to-face, you could have a phone consultation with a doctor, cheaper than an actual visit. Is this a needed market remedy? Would this practice help with health care costs? What about quality of service? Share your thoughts about this hypothetical yet plausible development in healthcare.
2. The CNBC Accredited Investors article is an example of government intervention wherewe limit who can purchase a good for their own good, at least in theory, via regulation. I would call this a "soft" intervention compare to creating a whole federal agency like the FDA or CFPB. Contrary to what most people believe, financial advisors and financial planners do not have a government stamp of approval;their certifications are issued by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), a private firm created by the financial industry to regulate their own practices. Basically, the FINRA decides who can have a investment license after passing exams and other educational requirements. What are the pros and cons of the current system? Do you think it is working well or do we need more government intervention?