4 ms·

>>Why are we even spending resources figuring out how to extend the lives of people who have smoked a pack a day, for 30 years, and are currently in old age? S

>>Why are we even spending resources figuring out how to extend the lives of people who have smoked a pack a day, for 30 years, and are currently in old age? Slippery slope I guess (Plus it is immoral). Next somebody is gonna say why should certain kind of people get medical treatment instead of this other people who clearly deserve it more.

nradov 8y ago
There's nothing inherently immoral about rationing healthcare. In fact healthcare is already rationed everywhere for most patients. In the US we mostly ration based on wealth, age, and employment status. But that doesn't necessarily mean other approaches are less moral.
- JamesBarney 8y ago
  But I think we should ration care based on effectiveness of the treatment not moral deservingness.
- GalacticDomin8r 8y ago
  > There's nothing inherently immoral about rationing healthcare. That a subjective statement, it is only true for you and those who agree with you. >In fact healthcare is already rationed everywhere for most patients. That is not an argument for the morality of rationed healthcare. We could make some sort of objective argument based upon ethics though. Suppose the smoker became addicted to cigarettes as a by-protect of being drafted into the military where he served in a distinguished role perhaps saving lives and protecting your freedom. Being a draftee and not particularly well educated, this persons means in retirement were quite limited, often depending on government assistance in various forms. A different person was ensured to be wealthy by inheritance then draft dodging then engaging in tax evasion, illegal migrant labor, various kinds of fraud and strong arm tactics. Yet this person didn't smoke and is quite wealthy. Should we invest in healthcare for tobacco users?
  - umanwizard 8y ago
    Everything is rationed, because the Earth has finite resources. Healthcare is no different. Morality has nothing to do with it.
  - deleted 8y ago
    [deleted]
- WalterBright 8y ago
  It is not possible to provide everyone with the best health care possible. For example, only a handful can get the services of the best heart surgeon. Compromise is inevitable.

nradov 8y ago

There's nothing inherently immoral about rationing healthcare. In fact healthcare is already rationed everywhere for most patients. In the US we mostly ration based on wealth, age, and employment status. But that doesn't necessarily mean other approaches are less moral.

JamesBarney 8y ago
But I think we should ration care based on effectiveness of the treatment not moral deservingness.
GalacticDomin8r 8y ago
> There's nothing inherently immoral about rationing healthcare. That a subjective statement, it is only true for you and those who agree with you. >In fact healthcare is already rationed everywhere for most patients. That is not an argument for the morality of rationed healthcare. We could make some sort of objective argument based upon ethics though. Suppose the smoker became addicted to cigarettes as a by-protect of being drafted into the military where he served in a distinguished role perhaps saving lives and protecting your freedom. Being a draftee and not particularly well educated, this persons means in retirement were quite limited, often depending on government assistance in various forms. A different person was ensured to be wealthy by inheritance then draft dodging then engaging in tax evasion, illegal migrant labor, various kinds of fraud and strong arm tactics. Yet this person didn't smoke and is quite wealthy. Should we invest in healthcare for tobacco users?
- umanwizard 8y ago
  Everything is rationed, because the Earth has finite resources. Healthcare is no different. Morality has nothing to do with it.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
WalterBright 8y ago
It is not possible to provide everyone with the best health care possible. For example, only a handful can get the services of the best heart surgeon. Compromise is inevitable.