¶ … foundational issues at hand for our culture is the provision of health care for all. Challenging the standard by limiting health care for the elderly is a substantial ethical question. (Etzioni, 1988, pgs. 168-174) Yet, regardless of the bargaining power of organizations who advocate for the elderly the limitations are being made, in more covert and less effective ways. Regardless of public opinion the system we have now adopted is inefficient and not only do the elderly suffer, but all others who are not offered services in economically feasible ways suffer.
The system will continue to be based upon capitalistic standards as long as benefits exist in a manner that provides profits for cutting corners on standard preventative care and offering substantially overblown services to those who can afford to pay for it or who have no voice to say no. (Lamm, 1989, pgs. 158-162) Providing care in such a manner that only those who can afford to pay out of pocket, for co pays according to their reimbursement schedules and also for those who can pay out of pocket for services are the only ones who do receive services is the standard. (Sager, 1988, pg. 152-157) (Ferrara, 1989, pgs. 183-189) Not only are the young and old being denied health care they are being denied their future as the health care costs for the end of life years sap family resources from their grandparents and parents all at a time when many of them, at least in theory, have no real way to say no.
Paying for life ending care is sapping...
Inefficiency seems to be the longstanding reality of health care for all. Regardless or maybe as a result of the amount of technology we have and continue to gain, standard basic care is being neglected in favor of profit. (Lamm, 1989, pg. 161-162) "Once people get into the health care system, we will spend fantastic amounts exploring a small chance of survival for them, yet 31 million Americans do not have basic health insurance ... " (Lamm, 1989, pg.159)
It is interesting, that within this debate, between those who seek limitations to health care for the elderly, based upon age and productivity and those who advocate unlimited access of care to the elderly, are arguing many of the same points. The points they are arguing allocate responsibility to efficiency, or in this case lack there of. The summation of this work should therefore be that with reasonable and well spent redistribution in the system, based on clear and real standards, rather than the philosophical ideals, noted by Callahan in "Health Care for the Elderly Should Be Limited." (Callahan 1987, pgs. 163-167)
Within the debate there are some foundational ideas associated with just how the costs for elderly care will be covered. The ideas are sound, even when argued by those who advocate severe restrictions for the care of elderly. Gleaning from this debate the actual meat of the problem and the solution can be difficult but the most…
