Health Care Ethics

Abstract

More an analysis of moral values and principles than a set of rules, these essays are both complimentary and critical of the health care industry. The 58 contributors represent a cross-section of American universities and related programs, and they consist of philosophers, attorneys, physicians, and health care officials. In almost every issue there are conflicting viewpoints, which the authors elucidate in a fair and balancedwaywithout proposing preformed conclusions or easy relief for our conscience. The issues are so new and unprecedented, so complex and innovative, that they defy evaluation by our traditional value systems. Imagine for a moment that you are the patient and your doctor has been called upon to withdraw your technical life support. What would your wishes be? "There is a large segment of society that regards the exercise of such decisions by a physician as assisted suicide," writes Michael Rie. Rie continues, "Patients should be allowed the right (via their advance directive) to signal those circumstances under which they no longer wish to pay health care institu¬ tions or providers for care that is no longer desired," and in an appendix he submits a simplified version of such an advance directive,whichwould stop the payments for such unwanted services. Several authors comment on the grow¬ ing market orientation in health care. Patricia Werhane draws on the wisdom of Adam Smith and summarizes: