LET’S try this one more time. The last veterinarian that ran a private practice on Saipan ran into the same situation and he left in the face of the resulting significant poor PR. He was also “too expensive” and was competing with the government clinic, just without the economic downturn.
Now do some homework Joe, because either Saipan is really unlucky in that the only veterinarians that will come out here are crooks that take advantage of the population, or it’s 2007, and prices are high everywhere, on everything...including veterinary medicine. I’m not naive enough to thing I can persuade anyone into one side or the other; you’ll believe what you believe, but history shows us that Saipan is a very tough market for anything but near free veterinary care and any veterinarian that opens a practice here is doomed to be “too expensive” if he/she charges fees for services that are consistent with 2007 pricing. If you don’t understand this part, go to the car dealerships, restaurants, shipping, etc., etc., etc., and you’ll find that there are no bargains to be had. I may not know much, but I do know what is going on in my own profession and PIAH is generally 20-30 percent less expensive for the same service as found on the mainland, and from what I’ve seen, cheaper than found on Hawaii.
I can also always tell when someone has never lived in the islands or in rural America. Having a “monopoly” in any profession or service is the norm in most small towns and islands. It’s only when you get to the city that you find more than one physician, or lawyer, or veterinarian, or CPA etc., etc., etc. So do I have a monopoly? No, I don’t. I just happen to be the only veterinarian in private practice on the island. Depending on your state of mind that is open to discussion however.
It obviously does me no good to defend what I do, and so I won’t try, which I shouldn’t have to do anyway...but a private business, especially in this economic climate shouldn’t have to compete with a government funded and supported business, regardless of it’s good intentions, (see the example above of the previous veterinary practice). As a businessman on Saipan, I should have the same rights as anyone else to stay in business if at all possible without fear of the government kicking dirt in my face.
You are right about one thing however; this has never been about “poor” vs non-poor. It’s always been about choices. If you want more choices move to a city where those choices exist. You find few choices on islands, and in small towns.

EDGAR TUDOR, DVM
Paradise Island
Animal Clinic