DQ 1-2

DQ 2

-

2 Responses

1,

One ethical issue of limiting healthcare is an issue I somewhat mentioned in the discussion post for topic 1 DQ 1,

and that is justice. Limitng care may not mean justice for all patients, specifically because of the way our

healthcare sytem is structured,

with several different health insurance carriers that offer different benefits to

consumers. Limiting care becomes a legal as well as an ethical dilemma. Hospitals do budget for uncompensated

care, as well as charity care. While it depends on the hospital

organization (for profit vs. not for profit), the

amount of uncompensated care has increased exponentially in the past few decades (it is many billions of dollars).

It is no secret that the United States is trillions of dollars in debt, and healthcare is a

large portion of that, so

really, hospitals cannot absorb much uncompensated care, and if the current trend continues, it will only

increase.

Those with limited/no resources have few options for healthcare. While there are free clinics and places like WI

C,

as well as some regional clinics that service underserved populations, these groups are at a distinct disadvantage

as far as getting easy access to healthcare services, particularly more specialized services. For this reason, this

group often ends up in

emergency departments, contributing to uncompensated care.

In my opinion, the state has a reponsibility to ensure primary health care services. These should include

vaccinations, education about unhealthy practices, food stamps for healthy food, legislat

ion against unhealthy

products being on the market, and providing safety equipment, an example being bike helmets. Some of these

things are done now, but not all of them. I would also say the exception is pediatric healthcare services, which

should be avai

lable to all children regardless of circumstances, and should be the responsiblity of the state. I

would not say there is any community responsiblity specifically, other than to reiterate what the state sets in

place and ensure that there is a place for re

sidents to go and receive these primary preventive healthcare

services.

While all of the ethical principles could be taken into account, justice, again, is the main ideal. Fairness for all

would be the goal. Because I feel states should focus on offering

preventive healthcare, the ethical principle of

beneficence is also important. Purposefully doing good for community members would embrace this concept. The

ethical theory of utilitarianism is also in play, as this represents attempting to do the most good

for the most

people.

2.

Some of the ethical issues that come from limited care fall under the principle of justice, is everyone receive fair,

entitled, and equitable access to care and distribution of resources? Access to health care is whether people ar

e

entitled to healthcare services as well as what are barriers some people face to receive quality care. Allocation of

care is a process of determining how health care resources are distributed within populations. On a social level,

health care resources a

re limited to how much government budgets allow, how the money will be spent, and on

the induvial patient itself (Trotochaud, 2006).

Within the U.S. healthcare system, a major barrier to access to care is being uninsured. Some people, even if they

are unin

sured, still have resources available to receive health care services. However, those of limited resources

rely on hospitals and emergency rooms; federal, state, and local assistance; or charitable organizations for their

health care needs. Many times, thi

s does not provide quality care resulting in less preventive services and

treatments for chronic illnesses and poorer outcomes (Trotochaud, 2006).

I do believe that there is a sense of responsibility at the federal, state, and local levels for ensuring acc

ess to

quality heal care because the consequences of the uninsured impact the communities in which they live in. No

insurance results in less financial security and more stress for individuals and families. Health care services will

become less available i

n their communities, public resources are overburdened, and the problems spread to larger

communities and eventually the whole country is impacted by the system. Other ethical considerations are the fair

and impartial allocation of available resources and

how to distribute them within populations. Because there is a

limit for available healthcare funding because there are several social needs to be addressed in addition to health

DQ 2-2 Responses

1,

One ethical issue of limiting healthcare is an issue I somewhat mentioned in the discussion post for topic 1 DQ 1,

and that is justice. Limitng care may not mean justice for all patients, specifically because of the way our

healthcare sytem is structured, with several different health insurance carriers that offer different benefits to

consumers. Limiting care becomes a legal as well as an ethical dilemma. Hospitals do budget for uncompensated

care, as well as charity care. While it depends on the hospital organization (for profit vs. not for profit), the

amount of uncompensated care has increased exponentially in the past few decades (it is many billions of dollars).

It is no secret that the United States is trillions of dollars in debt, and healthcare is a large portion of that, so

really, hospitals cannot absorb much uncompensated care, and if the current trend continues, it will only

increase.

Those with limited/no resources have few options for healthcare. While there are free clinics and places like WIC,

as well as some regional clinics that service underserved populations, these groups are at a distinct disadvantage

as far as getting easy access to healthcare services, particularly more specialized services. For this reason, this

group often ends up in emergency departments, contributing to uncompensated care.

In my opinion, the state has a reponsibility to ensure primary health care services. These should include

vaccinations, education about unhealthy practices, food stamps for healthy food, legislation against unhealthy

products being on the market, and providing safety equipment, an example being bike helmets. Some of these

things are done now, but not all of them. I would also say the exception is pediatric healthcare services, which

should be available to all children regardless of circumstances, and should be the responsiblity of the state. I

would not say there is any community responsiblity specifically, other than to reiterate what the state sets in

place and ensure that there is a place for residents to go and receive these primary preventive healthcare

services.

While all of the ethical principles could be taken into account, justice, again, is the main ideal. Fairness for all

would be the goal. Because I feel states should focus on offering preventive healthcare, the ethical principle of

beneficence is also important. Purposefully doing good for community members would embrace this concept. The

ethical theory of utilitarianism is also in play, as this represents attempting to do the most good for the most

people.

2.

Some of the ethical issues that come from limited care fall under the principle of justice, is everyone receive fair,

entitled, and equitable access to care and distribution of resources? Access to health care is whether people are

entitled to healthcare services as well as what are barriers some people face to receive quality care. Allocation of

care is a process of determining how health care resources are distributed within populations. On a social level,

health care resources are limited to how much government budgets allow, how the money will be spent, and on

the induvial patient itself (Trotochaud, 2006).

Within the U.S. healthcare system, a major barrier to access to care is being uninsured. Some people, even if they

are uninsured, still have resources available to receive health care services. However, those of limited resources

rely on hospitals and emergency rooms; federal, state, and local assistance; or charitable organizations for their

health care needs. Many times, this does not provide quality care resulting in less preventive services and

treatments for chronic illnesses and poorer outcomes (Trotochaud, 2006).

I do believe that there is a sense of responsibility at the federal, state, and local levels for ensuring access to

quality heal care because the consequences of the uninsured impact the communities in which they live in. No

insurance results in less financial security and more stress for individuals and families. Health care services will

become less available in their communities, public resources are overburdened, and the problems spread to larger

communities and eventually the whole country is impacted by the system. Other ethical considerations are the fair

and impartial allocation of available resources and how to distribute them within populations. Because there is a

limit for available healthcare funding because there are several social needs to be addressed in addition to health