Sign Up Now
Get instant access to over 1 million+ study documents
OR
Already registered? click here to login
By creating your account, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and student honor code.
¶ … Health Care and the Law:
Associated Press. (March 11, 2004). "House approves obesity suit ban." Retrieved on the website of the Boston Globe at http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2004/03/11/house_approves_obesity_suit_ban?mode=PF
Who is responsible for the growing obesity epidemic? Is the expanding American waistline blamed upon increased exposure to a 'fast food nation' and advertising from a person's childhood? Is the cause due to the nation's suburban sprawl, addiction to cars, and corresponding lack of activity? Is it merely due to a lack of willpower? Thus, who should bear the blame, the food industry or the consumer -- or simply the toxic food environment of America?
The issue of obesity is not simply a medical issue of causality -- that is, treat the cause and stop the epidemic. It is, and remains a very American issue and concern, even though obesity rates are rising in the First World all over the globe. And, true to form with the rest of American health and fitness history, it has become a legal issue as well. Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives banned lawsuits that would blame the food industry for the American...
After saying such cases could bankrupt fast-food chains and restaurants, it attempted to ban suits against such companies with a vote of 276-139. The Republican dominated legislative body noted that "suing" one's way to better health was no answer.
It is true, of course, that lawsuits do not burn calories, for the obese, normal, or underweight individual. However, the Republican's motivation in doing so is likely motivated by the powerful industry interests, such as McDonald's, that could be affected by a massive outbreak of potential lawsuits bigger than the (now abandoned) super-size fries could bust a young man's 28-inch waistband.
Regardless of the suit's motivation, however, it is important to question the legal basis of such suits. Should the national legislative body have the legal right to ban a category of lawsuit entirely? "House Republicans have in recent years approved similar bills barring suits against the gun industry for gun crimes and against businesses for asbestos-related health problems," notes the article, suggesting additional potentially deleterious measures against business interests…
The Republicans who drafted and voted for the bill have an additional point regarding such legislation, however, that does not necessarily pertain to earlier such bans against asbestos or gun related lawsuits. "Food manufacturers and sellers should not be held liable for injury because of a person's consumption of legal, unadulterated food and a person's weight gain or obesity," the White House said in a statement supporting the GOP bill. (AP, 2004) In other words, it is we as American who doing the eating, rather than the fast food companies forcing us to eat or be exposed to toxic products on a daily basis.
However, when children are targeted by food companies with suggestive advertising, prompting them to make poor food choices, the issue of personal responsibility grows more cloudy, as it does with the tobacco lawsuits these legal actions are often analogized with -- what of people who began to smoke before smoking was held to be hazardous by the government's decree? The bill would only allow legal claims to go forward if state or federal laws had been broken and as a result a person gained weight, presumably through claims regarding mislabeled calorie counts or improper promotional advertising, suggesting if one ate the product one would automatically lose weight.
The industry has responded to such lawsuits in a positive fashion, however, indicating that banning them may have a poor effect in the long-term on the nation's health. As McDonald's and other chains downsize portions and offer more healthy choices in response to threatened suits, this action might take another weapon against the dangers of obesity out of the hands of the public, amongst whom the health toll from obesity is taking on smoking as the leading killer.
Health Care System From the International Perspective: PPP Healthcare Reid (2009) actively seeks an international cure for healthcare that the United States just cannot seem to manifest although other developed nations are able to deliver universal healthcare at a cost that is reasonable and reports that the U.S. pays more healthcare than does any other developed country in the entire world up to as much as 16.5% of the GDP. This
healthcare services, many people could encounter some form of discrimination on the basis of their race, gender, or even sexual orientation. Discrimination in healthcare may seem like it is not something that is a major issue. However, it absolutely does come up in many situations, states and environments. Whether based on gender, religion, race or sexuality, discrimination happens at overt or implied levels all of the time. In other
Health Care In the wake on new and very contentious health care reform, many firms have undergone extensive transformations. These transformations have been predicated on both cost control and quality management. In particular quality management has had a profound impact on the underlying business operations of many health care firms. For one, firms are now finding methods in which to enhance the overall patient experience while also mitigating potential loses due
Health Care One of the most contentious social issues in the United States today is the debate over the responsibility of the state to provide basic health care services for its people. Normal Daniels argues that "if social obligations to provide appropriate health care are not met, then individuals are definitely wronged. Injustice is done to them." The essence of Daniels' argument is correct. This paper will extend Daniels' argument using
(Menzel, 1990, p. 3) Fisher, Berwick, & Davis alude to the idea of integration in health care, with providers linking as well as creating networks of electronic medical records and other cost improvement tactics. The United States and other nations over the last twenty or so years, have begun a sweeping change in health care delivery, regarding the manner in which health information is input, stored and accessed. Computer use
Health Care Reform Federal Deficit The American Health Care Crisis and the Federal Deficit The United States spends more than any other country on medical care. In 2006, U.S. health care spending was $2.1 trillion, or 16% of our gross domestic product. At the same time, more than 45 million Americans lack health insurance and our health outcomes (life expectancy, infant mortality, and mortality amenable to health care) are mediocre compared with