Thread

1. NegativeK · 1789944184 · focus · HN ↗

   Can someone steelman private equity, please? I'm honestly looking for the upsides (for non-investors) of when PE moves into an industry like medicine and begins buying up businesses that traditionally aren't already large chains.

   I already hear the downsides frequently from someone whose work is directly affected.

   1. twoodfin · 1789944333 · focus · HN ↗

      The upside is to the folks who sold the businesses they owned.

      Should they be outlawed from selling to certain classes of investor? Which?

      1. EA-3167 · 1789945621 · focus · HN ↗

         If the business is a hospital?

         Yes.

         1. georgemcbay · 1789946416 · focus · HN ↗

            > If the business is a hospital?

            I'd expand that to any type of business that has effectively inelastic demand through the ability to hold people emotionally hostage.

            So, for example, in addition to hospitals also include veterinarians, funeral services, family planning, etc.

            Soulless PE vultures should be barred from all of this.

            1. EA-3167 · 1789947512 · focus · HN ↗

               That’s a good expansion of the premise, I’d support your idea wholeheartedly. Let PE raid chain restaurants and toy stores, not essential services where they add no value and only extract wealth.
            2. shermantanktop · 1789949322 · focus · HN ↗

               Funeral services in the US got aggressively consolidated already, decades ago. Look up SCI - owns over 1,500 funeral homes and 400 cemeteries.

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