Healthcare reform raises tough moral questions
A couple of Washington Post columnists offer takes today on moral grey zone we’ve entered through the “death panels” and rationing debate.
This type of question is unavoidable when resources are scarce and planners take charge. They seek to rationalize the inefficient medical decisions of families, doctors and insurance companies. But the very process of imposing a rational structure gives government extraordinary power. And the approach taken by planners is, by necessity, utilitarian — considering the greatest good for the greatest number. Decisions cannot be made on a human scale.
It’s not an outrage. It’s surely not a death panel. But it is subtle pressure applied by society through your doctor. And when you include it in a health-care reform whose major objective is to bend the cost curve downward, you have to be a fool or a knave to deny that it’s intended to gently point the patient in a certain direction, toward the corner of the sickroom where stands a ghostly figure, scythe in hand, offering release.
–Sam
Related posts:
- The Millenials and healthcare reform
- Can the Senate pass permanant legislation?
- A tough climate
- Healthcare rights, healthcare programs
- Who should pay for health care reform?
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