Ethical Dilemmas In Healthcare: Fill & Download for Free

This is a great question and one new caregivers struggle with causing an emotional ethical dilemma. The first part is simple, as a caregiver you’re given responsibility to care for individuals’ basic needs and welfare.The challenge arises when patients refuse care due to impairment. I worked as a nursing home healthcare provider for a few months and although in medicine over 35 years this was my first experience with seniors teaching me the challenges associated with cognitively impaired, depressed and severely pain stricken patients.I’d say 25% of the time patients resisted parts of treatment. I can remember getting ready to treat one patient as he lay on his bed telling me, “It wasn’t suppose to be like this, I’m alone just leave me be so I can die.” I choose to sit with him and talk while conducting whatever treatment could be managed followed with a specialty consultation.I learned to understand where patients were coming from. Many were once independent business persons, high-ranking military officers and some famous writers or explorers. They were lone family survivors or had lost their sole mates. Being in a situation where they’re dependent for some or all their needs was devastating. I couldn’t imagine their situation. My solution was meeting them where they were at and work from there. If they refused rehabilitation treatment I’d find ways to motivate, giving them control, finding their interests and designing activities in these areas. It’s not too difficult, I remember having a patient with severe arthritis of the hand. You can provide exercise which they may do 25% of the time or have them unplug the dishwasher and wash dishes in warm water. It’s this mindset where you begin to think about functional rehabilitation that works for patients. This worked for patients and I was able to provide high-quality care.I was part of the Alzheimer Unit which had its own set of unique challenges. Many patients refused care and I knew it was part of the syndrome rather than patient’s will. Again as an experienced therapist I was able to find creative activities to provide needed therapies and Activities of Daily Living. I never used force or irritated patients, since patience and keeping sight on the patient’s welfare were key. Did I have success every time? No; however, after attempts throughout the day with a dedicated medical team we were able to figure out the best ways to provide quality care.I’ve had many military medicine experiences treating complicated wounds, illnesses and injuries; however, my nursing home experiences opened my eyes to a forgotten population. These were folks who built our nation and I’m thankful for the experienced providers who dedicate their professions to our senior citizens. After six months I had another call to direct the Army’s Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Program in Bavaria. Although it was a short time in the nursing home I was honored to care for these great Americans and I’ll forever treasure their life stories.Thanks for the question.

Q. What career paths are available in the field of Bioethics?A2A:Charles Daschbach's answer to What careers are available in bioethics?Bioethics Career Options and Education RequirementsJohns Hopkins | Berman Institute of BioethicsFordham University Careers in BioethicsColumbia University School of Professional Studies (Great Video Series)Jobs | Bioethics.netBioethics Grows, But Will Jobs Follow?Bioethics Career Options and Education RequirementsBioethics is an interdisciplinary field that addresses ethical problems in biological research and medicine. Continue reading for an overview of the majors and educational requirements, as well as career and salary info related to some career options for graduates.Bioethicists explore the complex, controversial issues that are present in the medical field. With an educational background in the medical field, bioethicists examine new and emerging technologies and procedures to address the ethical issues that may result from their use.Essential InformationToday's bioethicists come from diverse disciplines and weigh concerns related to controversial issues such as stem-cell research and medical technology. Individuals who want to develop careers in bioethics could choose undergraduate degree programs with a bioethics emphasis or minor, along with graduate degree programs in bioethics. Some occupations in this field require additionally completing a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree program.Career OptionsProfessionals who would like to build careers in bioethics might pursue opportunities in the academic, clinical or research fields. For example, they might become bioethics post-secondary teachers, physicians or medical scientists.Post-Secondary TeachersThe field of bioethics is expanding rapidly, and universities and medical schools need professors who can educate the innovators of tomorrow. Many branches of medical and liberal arts are concerned with bioethics, but an educator typically specializes in one discipline, such as philosophy. An academic bioethicist also can perform research or educate the public through outreach. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that positions for college professors (post-secondary teachers) would increase by 13% between 2014 and 2024, about as fast as the national average.Physicians & SurgeonsCurrently, the staff of medical clinics handles ethical dilemmas. As the bioethics field grows, specialists are being called on to handle these tasks. To work in this capacity, students typically choose a discipline in the health care field and then focus on bioethics along with their regular studies.Existing medical professionals such as physicians can also undertake bioethics training. The BLS reported that the occupational group of all other physicians and surgeons earned mean salaries of $197,700 as of May 2015. Employment of these specialists was expected to expand by 14% between 2014 and 2024.Medical ScientistsNew developments in medical and biological sciences often have ethical ramifications. Research bioethicists work to make sense of these ramifications. Some researchers work for academic institutions, while others work for consulting companies.Medical scientists conduct research with the purpose of improving the health of human beings. In 2015, the BLS reported that medical scientists earned average annual salaries of $93,730. An employment increase of 8% was predicted for the decade spanning 2014 through 2024.Bioethics Education RequirementsUndergraduateAt the undergraduate level, bioethics typically is explored in addition to another discipline. For example, a student might choose an undergraduate program in medical sciences or liberal arts and then tailor his or her classes to include a bioethical focus. This can prepare the student to work in a bioethical capacity in his or her chosen career. Some institutions offer a minor in bioethics.GraduateAt the graduate level, students often can choose to focus solely on bioethics. Institutions offer master's study, as well as doctorate programs. The latter programs are intended for students who wish to move on to research or academic careers.Continuing EducationFor health care professionals who want to remain current in their fields, certificate programs are available that can prepare them to deal with ethical dilemmas. Students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs may also complete certificate programs, which could add a bioethical focus to their chosen career path.Physicians, medical scientists, and college professors are all involved in the field of bioethics. With the ongoing development of new technologies and techniques, bioethicists will become increasingly important as the ethical dilemmas of the medical field are explored and addressed.Johns Hopkins | Berman Institute of BioethicsCAREER TALES(See Also: Current Employment Opportunities at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics)BERMAN INSTITUTE FACULTY DISCUSS THEIR CAREERS IN BIOETHICSIn the hopes of providing valuable advice for students pursuing a career in bioethics, the Berman Institute of Bioethics interviewed faculty members and graduate students about their individual careers and studies. The faculty members and students interviewed come from a variety of disciplines, including medicine, law, public health, and philosophy, and each interview offers a unique story and perspective. In the following interviews, these faculty members discuss their initial interest and involvement in bioethics, and the paths which led them to their current positions. Faculty members also give advice on the best bioethics resources, including academic and professional experiences to Internet resources, and critically look at the current bioethics world to determine what the future generation of bioethicist ought to bring to it. These interviews serve not as a strict model for students to follow to become a bioethicist, but rather reveal the many opportunities and possibilities for achieving a bioethics career.Opportunities for those interested in pursuing a career related to bioethics are expanding. These are examples of the sorts of opportunities available:1) Academic bioethics: A wide variety of career opportunities engaging in teaching and generating new scholarship on policy and ethics issues within the purview of bioethics are becoming available within academically based bioethics institutes/centers. Similar work is conducted and, career opportunities are becoming available within independent organizations such as The Hastings Center or The American Medical Association. In addition, there are both liberal/conservative bioethics think tanks such as The Center for American Progress; and The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity.2) Research ethics: IRB/ESCRO/IACUC staff or committee members. Career opportunities are created by the need for various committees to review research proposals and ensure the ethical conduct of scientific/biomedical research.3) Clinical Ethics: Hospital-based clinical ethicist/consultant/Hospital ethics committees. Hospital ethics committee members are typically not paid for their service. However, some few hospitals do employ consultants to serve as clinical ethicists, hearing cases with conflicts or ethically-challenging dimensions.4) Be Creative: The expansion of careers in bioethics is a relatively new phenomenon – don’t be afraid to be creative in encouraging the integration of bioethics into existing career paths. Some obvious examples: cell biologist-bioethicist, NICU nurse-bioethicist, historian-bioethicist, hospital administrator-bioethicist. Careers offer significant exposure to the sorts of challenging issues that define bioethics can also bring novel and useful tools and experiences that can be added to the problem-solving armamentarium.Careers in BioethicsBioethics is essential to understanding the implications and consequences of medical procedures, treatment decisions, biomedical and behavioral research and health-related policy. A background in ethics will provide you with the analytical skills that will assist you in your work and help you to best serve the needs of those with whom you work. Individuals with bioethics training are employed in a variety of settings, including health care (hospitals, clinics, nursing and assisted living homes, etc.), pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions, institutional review boards and oversight/compliance boards, and policy organizations and think tanks.More Information About Ethics in Health CareView video from our 2014 Careers in Ethics panel, featuring pediatric E.R. physician Naomi Dreisinger, MD (Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital), bioethicist Elizabeth Yuko, PhD (Center for Ethics Education) and Institutional Review Board professional Stefanie Juell, MA.Bioethics Job ListingsBelow are several different lists of bioethics-related jobs. These positions are updated regularly so be sure to check often.Hastings Center Bioethics Job BankAmerican Journal of Bioethics Job BankAmerican Society for Bioethics and HumanitiesIndeed Job SearchInterested in Pursuing a Master's Program in Ethics?Select Fordham University juniors are eligible to apply for early admission to the Master of Arts in Ethics and Society program.Typically, the combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program is completed in a total of five years. Undergraduates accepted into the program take two courses toward the master’s degree in the senior year. These courses also count toward the credits required for the bachelor's degree. The three-day "Theories and Applications in Contemporary Ethics" course is taken during the month of May following the senior year. Finally, seven courses are taken during the two semesters following the senior year, fulfilling the requirements for the combined degree.There is no application fee and GRE scores are not required for early admission applicants. Students who are in the early admission program receive their undergraduate degree at the end of their senior year (and participate in commencement with their classmates) and are admitted to return in their fifth year to complete the Master's degree.Additional information about this program can be found under the Ethics and Society department.Columbia University School of Professional StudiesPresented by Columbia University’s master of science and certification programs in Bioethics, the Careers in Bioethics series brings noted bioethicists, academics, authors, and medical professionals to Columbia’s campus for lectures, book readings, and panel discussions focused on the intersection of their work and bioethics.View past Careers in Bioethics events below and visit the events page for upcoming Bioethics events at Columbia.Careers in Bioethics: Bioethicists in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Personal ReflectionsSheldon Sloan, an Immunology Global Medical Affairs Leader at Janssen Global Commercial Strategy Organization, will discuss his experiences working as a bioethicist in the pharmaceutical industry as a part of our Careers in Bioethics series.Careers in Bioethics: How to Teach Ethics – Views From Across Columbia (Session 2)A panel of faculty members will discuss what they each do when they are teaching ethics – exactly what and how they teach – to explore common and divergent strategies, challenges and solutions.Careers in Bioethics: How to Teach Ethics – Views From Across Columbia (Session 1)A panel of faculty members will discuss what they each do when they are teaching ethics – exactly what and how they teach – to explore common and divergent strategies, challenges and solutions.Careers in Bioethics: From Bedlam To Bioethics – Growing Up In a Mental Hospital and Working In Medical EthicsOne of the nation’s leading bioethicists, Jonathan Moreno, David and Lyn Silfen University Professor, Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, reflects on how his background as the son of a prominent, pioneering psychiatrist has affected him and his seminal work. Moreno is author of Mind Wars: Brain Science and the Military in the 21st Century. Refreshments will be served. This session is presented by Columbia University’s master of science and certification programs in Bioethics.Careers in Bioethics: Sanctity vs. Care – The Moral Foundations Of Bioethical ControversiesJonathan Haidt, Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at NYU Stern School of Business and author of The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religionand The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom, is one of the world’s leading researchers and writers on the psychology of morality. Refreshments will be served. This session is presented by Columbia University’s master of science and certification programs in Bioethics.Careers in Bioethics: Finding The Frontiers Of Bioethics – Your "Accidental" CareerJoseph C. D’Oronzio, Founding Director of The ProBE (Professional Problem-Based Ethics) Program, will discuss his 30-year involvement in the intersections of bioethics with human rights initiatives, with the ethical rehabilitation of physicians sanctioned by their licensing boards, and with ethical dimensions of healthcare policy.Careers in Bioethics: Dr. David Blumenthal, President, The Commonwealth FundDavid Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.P., president of The Commonwealth Fund, a national philanthropy engaged in independent research on health and social policy issues, will speak during this session presented by Columbia University’s Bioethics M.S. and Certification programs.Careers in Bioethics: Bioethics and/or Law School?Hal Edgar, Julius Silver Professor in Law, Science, and Technology at Columbia University, will discuss the intersection of the study of bioethics and law during this session of the ongoing Careers in Bioethics series, presented by Columbia University’s Bioethics M.S. and Certification programs.Careers in Bioethics: A Bioethical Journey: From Clinical and Research Ethics to Policy and Public HealthDr. Alan R. Fleischman is a senior vice president and medical director of the March of Dimes Foundation as well as clinical professor of pediatrics and clinical professor of epidemiology and population health at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. He spoke on his professional journey from clinical and research ethics to his active role in current public health policy.Careers in Bioethics: An Unconventional Career in Bioethics: Letting the Issues Choose YouCarol Levine, director of Families and Health Care Project with the United Hospital Fund and Macarthur "Genius Award" recipient, spoke on her career trajectory and how she came to the bioethics field from a non-traditional path. Before joining the United Health Fund in 1996, Levine directed the Citizens Commission on AIDS in New York City, and founded The Orphan Project. As a senior staff associate of The Hastings Center, she edited the Hastings Center Report.Careers in Bioethics: More and Better Medical Technology: More and Harder Ethical DilemmasDr. Kenneth Prager is the director of the ethics committee at New York Presbyterian Hospital. In his presentation, he discussed the ways that the medical profession has changed over the course of his career, how ethical boundaries have been affected by technology advances, and gave advice on how students could be effective for both their fellow doctors and their patients.Careers in Bioethics: Reflections on Bioethics: Past, Present and FutureThomas Murray is President of the Hastings Center, a bioethics "think tank" in the United States which has produced influential work in the field for decades. The topic of his presentation, bioethics in the past, present and future, involves an examination of the idea of stewardship, health care reform, cost-effective design and technology.Careers in Bioethics: The Roles of Bioethics in Industry: Perspectives from an InsiderLlew Keltner, M.D., Ph.D. is the President and CEO of Light Sciences Oncology, Inc., a leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology company. He will speak about the critical roles that bioethics can play in industry, the tensions that might arise, and ways that these can be addressed.Jobs | Bioethics.netBioethics Grows, But Will Jobs Follow?May 12, 2016 | Carolyn ColwellWant to be a bioethicist? Don’t count on getting paid.There simply are not enough salaried bioethics jobs to go around, says Tia Powell, MD, the director of the Montefiore Einstein Center for Bioethics and of the Einstein-Cardozo Master of Science in Bioethics program in New York City. In the 30 years she has been in bioethics, Powell has seen the discipline grow.There are now at least 38 graduate programs in the field, one that was unknown a few decades ago, and they have produced thousands of specialists.According to the Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute in Garrison, NY there were 2,314 bioethics and applied ethics degrees granted from 2000 through 2013, Most (1,723 ) were master’s degrees, 173 were bachelor’s degrees, and 156 were doctoral degrees—and there were 262 program certificates awarded.But having a bioethics degrees or certificate does not mean finding a position as a bioethicist, Powell (photo, right) said in a recent interview.Some bioethics experts working at academic medical centers volunteer to take on bioethics consultations in addition to their other duties; others have bioethics as part of their overall job description, but only some are paid for this extra service and expertise, Powell said.Bioethics centers also don't generate billable hours, so that they often are supported by philanthropy, grants, tuition or their parent institution, she added.It’s not that there aren’t enough issues to decide.Being an ethical practitioner of medicine has gotten far more complex than simply following the ancient dictum of “First, do no harm.”Physicians wrestle with end-of-life issues, genetic-engineering debates, questions related to the expense of care vs. benefits conferred, whether and when patients deserve compensation for the use of their cells or tissues, and other topics engendered by ever-developing technology and burgeoning costs.Bioethical issues are so important, and often politically sensitive, that since 1974, US presidents have had the option of appointing a Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Seven have done so, including Barack Obama.But the formal training programs are costly. Hastings found tuitions ranging from $8,000 for a certificate program run by a hospital to $66,000 for one university’s master’s program—all for a degree that does guarantee employment.To that end, bioethics training works better as an add-on, not a standalone."For me personally, the person most likely to be hired is a person with a broad range of skills including comfort in clinical areas as well as some formal training in bioethics," she added.Someone with just a bachelor's degree in bioethics or even a master's is not going to have a career path in clinical bioethics, although they might get an entry level job doing research, she explained.For instance, she said, in her center what she looks for in a job candidate is not someone with just a PhD in bioethics or an MD, but someone with a "depth of experience of sitting with families in distress."In the US institutions offering bioethics training more than half of those 38 programs appear to recognize the wisdom of getting dual training.These are the institutions offering joint degrees in bioethics along with an MD, or law degree or in some cases, divinity degrees, or advanced degrees in social work, nursing, dentistry, physical therapy of philosophy, according to a 2014 Hastings list.The courses themselves speak to the need to address the growing complexity of medicine.Though some offerings have a philosophical focus, they can also be highly technical.For instance, at Montefiore (photo at left) the curriculum includes classes in "The Beginning and End of Life" and "Personhood.”At the technically focused end of the spectrum, highly specialized training is available at places like the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. Its program on Ethics and Brain Sciences has an interdisciplinary working group that, for example, focuses on "Human Trials of Cell-Based Intervention for Neurological Conditions."Coursework in such programs can be demanding but visions of recouping the investment of time and money through a higher salary might not necessarily be realized.So why does someone study bioethics?Some might enroll with a goal of getting comfortable with the technological and scientific breakthroughs that are changing medicine.Powell sees that as a "red herring," she said. In her experience, a bioethicist will usually be called in not for issues related to new technology but to tackle questions that are as old as Hippocrates: what is a good death, what is confidentiality."One common problem is when a patient declines recommended treatment and it's unclear whether she truly grasps the consequences," she explained.Another is "how shall we support grieving family members as they try to settle old grievances with each other and make responsible decisions together.”"For the bioethics student there also is the grounding in how to help people articulate their values and goals in the context of what is medically feasible,” Powell said.That work puts many bioethicists back in touch with the reasons they became physicians or other helping professionals in the first place, Powell added.The questions they deal with can be challenging, and they are not going away, other bioethicists agree.For Daniel Sulmasy, MD, PhD, director of the University of Chicago's program in medical ethics and religion and a member of the Obama administration’s Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues, bioethics is not just a field best left to the experts."I almost think we probably ought to start teaching bioethics in high school because some of the questions I deal with at least in clinical ethics are going to affect everybody," he says in a video posted on the site. "Everybody is going to decide at some point whether or not to continue life sustaining treatments for someone they love.”

This is a question which seems attract debate so I thought I’d preface my answer. I also assume that the author of the question means universal healthcare or some sort of socialized healthcare.Truth is something which is derived when people with dissimilar viewpoints deliberate and actually consider the other’s point of view. These two people (or groups of people) must be rational and open to outside information. Eventually, as more information is contributed to the discussion, a rational conclusion is eventually reached.I don’t mention this as a criticism, but as a reminder for everyone, myself included. To make any progress in this debate, we must at least agree to be rational and open-minded. It’s understandable to lose that rationality from time to time. This is after all a topic which hits close to home for those who have lost loved ones, felt the pressure of medical bills, or those who are wary of government involvement in healthcare.But nevertheless, we need to maintain objectivity and stop turning every challenging viewpoint into a personal battle. All you’ll get is a momentary rush of anger and superiority, and then an empty feeling as you realize you didn’t make the world a better place. You didn’t change anyone’s mind. You stroked your ego, responded emotionally, and accomplished nothing. We are all human, we acquire our viewpoints somewhat rationally. We lead vastly different lives. And we all have an inner compass of morality, and we can all recognize and respect reason.We need to understand one another to reach a conclusion on this topic as a country. Feeding into polarization divides us as a country and makes it harder to help each other and benefit from each other, which sandbags our whole economy and society. Now that that’s been said:The examples that other countries provide with their healthcare strategies are valid references considering the topic being discussed is our own healthcare. Considering we spend more than ANY other country on healthcare in proportion to our GDP, one could assume we should be able to emulate other countries who are providing universal coverage for less money than we are currently spending as a nation. After all, these countries are our peers and economically speaking function very similarly to our own economy. They are countries who rely substantially on capitalism to provide goods and services. They also rely on their government for regulation, civil rights, and protection/control of monopolies and other unfair business practices. (This list is not meant to be exhaustive but illustrative.)So one can rationally assume that the US has the ability to adopt a similar universal healthcare strategy.Glaring issues DO stand in the way of universal healthcare in the US, education costs for doctors and nurses are one hurdle standing in the way of getting the costs of healthcare down in the US. But the strategy the US is currently following is clearly NOT working. It tramples those of ill fortune in circumstance and genetics. It destroys the lives of those whose financial means are limited. We spend more proportionally on healthcare than any other country in the world. Do you think we are getting a good deal?Considering we spend proportionally the most money on healthcare compared to any other country (18% of our GDP, most are around 10%) one might rationally assume we have the best or at least some of the best healthcare. But, we don’t. Statistically we are slightly above average in most measures.There are not only the cold hard numbers to consider, but moral questions to ponder as well. At this stage of thinking, we now immediately have a dilemma. Health and Healthcare are products for sale. Health is considered a necessary aspect of living a life. And Life is a right. We as a country and nearly as a species have declared that human life is intrinsically valuable and is an inalienable right. That’s the “Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness” bit. So we face an ethical dilemma when a company is selling a product we, in some cases, literally need for life. The issue becomes even more muddy when you then ask yourself what exactly is the price of health and healthcare.Typically when you are making a purchase the field of play is fairly even between you the consumer and the company (producer). There are no hidden costs associated with your decision to purchase or not purchase. You either spend $5 and get a hamburger, or you get to keep your $5 bill, but no hamburger.But, there are hidden costs when dealing with healthcare. The choice is not, $1000 dollars for this procedure, or keep your $1000 dollars. The choice is $1000 dollars for the procedure, or you keep your $1000 and die, or let that broken leg heal on its own, or whatever particular ailment you fancy.This means that there is already a lot of demand for the product (healthcare) which is not directly related to the monetary cost for the product. To put it another way, whether that lifesaving procedure costs $1000 or $75,000, if your life is on the line you’re going to pay if you’re able.Within economics a product like this is most simply defined as a product whose demand is inelastic. Meaning that the price of the good does not greatly influence the demand for that product.All told, this means that healthcare in general is a product necessary for life, and is a product of inelastic demand as a result. From a profit seeking company’s perspective this is a goldmine. A product whose price can be set wherever and those who can will pay. Given that 99.99% of our population will most likely require the use of healthcare at least once when they are born, and a significant portion will require it to survive injury and illness encountered in life. From a company’s perspective this is a product which can always be overcharged for.Given that such a massive portion of our society will need the use of healthcare, and healthcare is such a critical part of living. It would stand to reason that we take on healthcare as a small burden we should all share via taxation. In this way we make healthcare more efficient, create universal access, and give our citizens the gift of never worrying about medical bills again.Oh, and a small side effect is that now, families who lose the genetic lottery won’t ALSO be financially ruined.If we all agree that healthcare plays a crucial part of our right to live and thrive, then from a moral perspective it’s very difficult to argue against the socialization of medicine because it will protect the individual and it will protect an entire country and it’s right to life.Capitalism is a wonderful invention. It has quite literally created the world we live in today. But it is not infallible. And some items shouldn’t be up for sale. Like your life and health. Healthcare is a common intrinsically valuable service currently masquerading as a product of capitalism.From an ethical perspective, profiting off of the misfortune and disease within society to this extent is morally indefensible. Look at the opioid crisis, look what is happening to insurance costs. Corporations should not be the ones with the most power in healthcare. Citizens should be, through their government. Because the people have something a lot more valuable to lose than some money in their investment portfolio. They could lose their life, or become so burdened by debt they never have a chance to live it.Healthcare in the US has become near predatory, picking off those of ill fortune and financial insecurity. So I implore YOU. Give me a reason good enough that I should turn a blind eye to the family of a premature baby who have a choice; to mortgage their house or let their child die. The fact that is even a remote possibility in the US is an embarassment to a country which is supposed to pride itself on Christian beliefs, generosity, and taking care of ones family and community.Whatever you do, don’t say we should wait and/or do nothing. Other countries have already led the way and are better off for it, it is time for us to make changes. If it caused a bloody recession to implement it would be worth it in my mind. When it was all said and done, think of the financial freedom and how many families could focus on the process of healing, grieving, or what have you without getting $100,000 bills in the mail. And think of that financial freedom and that level of care extending into the future, for the generations that follow us. What greater legacy to leave them than to make health and life truly a universal right?No it’s not the way our country works right now. But it should be, it can be, and I for one hope to see it become so. If you have a better solution, please, believe me, I’d love to hear it. If you have any sort of ethically or statistically based argument please, I want to hear it. Change my mind. But, give me the same courtesy, and allow me the opportunity to change yours.