The more lenient the regulations are on the marketing of medical services, the more healthcare providers will promote their services, and those who market a particular treatment typically charge less for that treatment than those who do not market. Therefore, if the government eliminates any of its existing regulations, such as the one against advertisements that do not disclose pricing options, the overall costs for consumers seeking medical care will be lower than if the government maintains its current regulations.

Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the argument regarding overall consumer medical costs?

Answer Choices

Correct answer marked below

Most healthcare providers who currently disclose pricing options in their advertisements would continue to do so even if it were not mandated.

The government is unlikely to eliminate all regulations that pertain solely to the marketing of medical services.

Healthcare providers who do not market their services generally offer medical care of the same quality as those who do market.

The government has recently lifted some other regulations that had restricted the marketing of medical services.

Most healthcare providers who market specific treatments do not reduce their prices for those treatments when they start marketing.

Correct

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Official Explanation

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The argument suggests that removing restrictions on advertising will lead to lower overall consumer medical costs because more providers will advertise and charge less. To weaken this argument, we need to show that advertising does not lead to lower prices. Option E states that most healthcare…

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Comments

SaiJan 2, 2025

thanks for the answer

SuraiyaMar 5, 2025

taking my GMAT next month, this helps!

PalakSep 18, 2024

Good question

SOct 19, 2024

thanks!

What this question tests

What it tests

Whether you can identify the option that most undermines an argument's conclusion.

Common trap

Choosing an irrelevant objection or one that attacks the premise rather than the reasoning.