Is America moving toward the same healthcare problems facing Canada?

Dr. Jay Goldberg, North American Affairs Manager at the Consumer Choice Center, joins Andrew Langer on the Washington Signal's Lunch Hour to examine the growing role of government in healthcare, the importance of consumer choice, and the consequences of policies that restrict competition.

A political scientist with undergraduate and doctoral degrees from the University of Toronto, Goldberg brings a Canadian perspective to the debate over American healthcare policy. He explains how Canada's government-funded healthcare system has contributed to lengthy wait times, physician shortages, and challenges attracting and retaining medical professionals.

The conversation begins by examining the difference between health insurance and healthcare itself. Goldberg argues that confusing the two can lead to policies that prioritize controlling expenditures over improving patient access and outcomes.

Andrew and Jay also discuss the financial pressures facing physicians, including medical school debt, reimbursement rates, and the costs of operating a medical practice. Goldberg shares examples from Canada to illustrate how government payment systems can affect physicians' decisions about where to practice medicine.

The discussion then turns to pharmaceutical innovation and the growing popularity of GLP-1 medications. Goldberg examines how competition between drug manufacturers can lower prices, why government subsidies may obscure the actual costs of treatment, and how pricing policies could affect the development and availability of new medicines.

They also explore the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program, the Trump administration's proposed Most Favored Nation approach to pharmaceutical pricing, and the potential consequences of tying American drug prices to those paid in other countries.

Throughout the conversation, Goldberg emphasizes the importance of market competition, consumer choice, and policies that encourage medical innovation rather than discourage investment.

Finally, the discussion moves beyond healthcare to energy policy. With artificial intelligence and data centers driving growing electricity demand, Goldberg makes the case for an energy-abundance strategy that includes oil, natural gas, nuclear power, and economically viable renewable energy sources.

Can the United States expand healthcare access, lower costs, and maintain its leadership in medical innovation without sacrificing consumer choice?

Join Andrew Langer and Dr. Jay Goldberg for a discussion about healthcare reform, pharmaceutical competition, and the policies shaping the future of American consumers.

00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Jay Goldberg

01:47 - What Is the Consumer Choice Center?

03:06 - Healthcare vs. Health Insurance: Why the Difference Matters

05:23 - Physician Shortages and Canada's Healthcare System

09:00 - Medical School Debt and Government Reimbursement

13:20 - GLP-1 Drugs, Medicare and Government Subsidies

15:04 - Drug Prices, Copays and Pharmaceutical Competition

20:59 - Why Competition Matters Across Industries

24:45 - The 340B Drug Pricing Program

26:51 - Most Favored Nation Drug Pricing and Patient Access

30:24 - Energy Abundance, Data Centers and America's Energy Future

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Are America's intellectual property protections strong enough to keep the United States at the forefront of global innovation? And what happens when government policies make it harder for inventors, entrepreneurs, and pharmaceutical companies to protect their discoveries?

Andrei Iancu, former Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), partner at Sullivan & Cromwell, and co-founder of the Council for Innovation Promotion, joins Andrew Langer on the Washington Signal Lunch Hour to discuss the importance of intellectual property rights, the future of American innovation, and the growing competition between the United States and China.

In recognition of Intellectual Property Month, Iancu explains why America's founders included intellectual property protections in the Constitution and how those protections helped establish the United States as a global leader in technological advancement. From Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell to modern computing and pharmaceutical research, he examines the relationship between patent protections, private investment, and economic prosperity.

The conversation explores the Bayh–Dole Act and its role in allowing universities and research institutions to commercialize inventions developed through federally funded research. Iancu discusses why partnerships between government and private industry are essential to bringing new technologies and medical treatments to market.

Andrew and Andrei also examine the economics of pharmaceutical innovation, including the enormous investments required to develop new drugs, the importance of patent exclusivity, and the potential consequences of government price controls.

They discuss how the American patent system balances incentives for new drug development with public access to affordable generic medications, including the role of the Hatch–Waxman Act and the transition from brand-name pharmaceuticals to generics.

Beyond pharmaceuticals, Iancu raises concerns about the influence of large technology companies on intellectual property policy and the challenges facing startups, independent inventors, and smaller businesses attempting to compete with established corporations.

Finally, the conversation turns to China's growing technological ambitions and why Iancu believes maintaining strong intellectual property protections is essential to America's economic competitiveness and national security.

From patent law and pharmaceutical research to entrepreneurship and international competition, this episode examines how intellectual property rights shape America's innovation economy and why the future of American technological leadership may depend on protecting the next generation of inventors.

Watch the Washington Signal Lunch Hour with Andrew Langer for an in-depth conversation about intellectual property, innovation, and America's competitive future.

00:00 - Introduction to Andrei Iancu

01:43 - Why Intellectual Property Rights Matter

04:30 - Property Rights, Innovation and the American Dream

07:40 - America's History of Innovation

10:25 - How Big Companies Affect Patent Protections

12:53 - The Bayh-Dole Act and University Research

17:30 - Public-Private Partnerships and Pharmaceutical Innovation

21:29 - Drug Development Costs and Patent Protections

24:08 - Drug Prices, Government Controls and Innovation

27:13 - Generic Drugs and the Hatch-Waxman Act

31:08 - Big Tech, China and America's Innovation Future

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Are government regulations designed to protect Americans online actually putting their privacy and freedoms at greater risk?

Caden Rosenbaum, Managing Director of Technology Policy at the Reason Foundation, joins Andrew Langer on the Washington Signal's Lunch Hour podcast to discuss the growing debate over technology regulation, online privacy, government surveillance, and the future of digital freedom.

Rosenbaum shares his journey from accounting to technology policy and explains how concerns over artificial intelligence, online child safety, and emerging technologies have fueled increasingly aggressive regulatory proposals. The conversation examines the unintended consequences of government intervention and the challenge of developing policies that protect consumers without unnecessarily restricting innovation.

Andrew and Caden explore the expanding use of surveillance cameras, artificial intelligence, and private-sector data by law enforcement, raising questions about Fourth Amendment protections and the balance between public safety and personal privacy.

The discussion also examines age verification laws for social media platforms and app stores. Rosenbaum argues that requirements intended to protect children could force companies to collect even more sensitive personal information, creating new cybersecurity risks. He outlines an alternative approach that would give parents greater control without requiring widespread collection of personal identification and biometric data.

Finally, the conversation turns to federalism and the growing influence of state governments over national technology policy. Rosenbaum discusses California's impact on legislation across the country, the challenges of conflicting state regulations, and his experiences developing technology policies in Utah.

From government surveillance and online safety to cybersecurity and constitutional rights, this episode explores how policymakers can balance innovation, individual liberty, and legitimate public safety concerns.

The interview concludes earlier than planned due to a network disruption, with Andrew sharing his closing thoughts and hopes of welcoming Caden back for a future conversation.

00:00 — Introduction to Caden Rosenbaum

03:17 — From Accounting to Technology Policy

05:44 — Growing Concerns Over Tech Regulation

08:05 — Innovation, Energy & Unintended Consequences

10:36 — Government Surveillance & the Fourth Amendment

14:56 — Balancing Public Safety and Privacy

17:28 — Age Verification Laws & Children's Privacy

19:36 — Biometric Data & Digital Privacy Risks

21:43 — Cybersecurity Threats & Data Breaches

22:46 — Federalism & State Technology Regulation

24:33 — Simplifying Laws & Protecting Gig Workers

25:48 — Age Verification & Constitutional Questions

27:19 — California's Influence on National Tech Policy

29:13 — Why State Policy Matters

30:54 — Network Disruption & Andrew's Closing Thoughts

32:32 — Closing Credits

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