(Photo courtesy of Western Michigan University)
A well known bioethicist says health care rationing is a reality even if it’s unpopular with the American public. University of Pennsylvania Professor Art Caplan says part of the reason is demographics. Caplan says the aging of the “baby boom” generation is just starting to move into higher age brackets that require greater health care resources.
Caplan says health care rationing is happening now in a variety of ways. He says people who lose their jobs and don’t have insurance have a tougher time getting medical care. Caplan says there other forms of rationing, such as decisions that have to be made on decisions such as organ transplants.
Caplan says decisions about health care rationing should be made by doctors based on guidelines about what is adequate care. He says a decent minimum quality of care should be established.
Caplan will speak Thursday afternoon at 4:00 in Room 2008 of the Richmond Center.
