Rationing health care: the choice before us

Article Abstract:

The cost of health care may reach 15 percent of the entire production of goods and services in the United States (the Gross National Product, or GNP) by the year 2000, and therefore key questions concerning the rising cost of health care must be considered. The authors ask "Why have recent efforts at cost containment failed? Can the United States afford unlimited, high-quality health care for everyone? If not, is rationing unavoidable? If so, how will it be carried out and what will be its effect on the health and lives of most Americans?" Several factors affect rising costs. One is payment of costs by insurance, motivating physician and patient to seek services which provide any benefit whatsoever, regardless of cost. A second is the economic principle that the price of commodities rises faster than services characterized by low growth in productivity; despite the growth of medical technology, actual hospital care is delivered in essentially the same way as in 1960. The last factor is the aging of the population, which increases the demand for health care services. The existence of these three factors suggests that health care costs will continue to rise, and that one-time savings, such as closing under-utilized facilities, cannot solve the cost problem. The introduction of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) represents a small step in the direction of rationing, and a larger step was taken by the Oregon state legislature, which announced that it would not pay for organ transplants under the Medicaid program because it felt the money would be better spent on prenatal care. In general, however, the United States has not fully acknowledged the necessity of constraints. In addition, continued improvements in medical technology are providing new and costly options for physicians, who traditionally have concerned themselves solely with the best treatment for their patients. Unfortunately, physicians must begin to consider the cost to society of what they do, which will create conflict with their traditional role. The rising costs of medical care must be contained, despite the painful choices these decisions will entail. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Social aspects, Medical care, Cost of, Health care costs

---

Wildlife habitat: issue of choice

Article Abstract:

Development and human encroachment of wild life habitat force animals to look for alternative sources and may result in the extinction of species. Global warming may cause damages to the hydrological cycle which will affect the lives of animals living in arid and coastal regions. Development will affect animals living in coastlines and saltwater and freshwater wetlands while increased use of water resources in arid lands by human beings may force animals to migrate. Implementation of a triage policy may help protect the wild life.

Planning, Habitats, Wildlife conservation, Animals

---

Kenya seeks home for nation's wildlife

Article Abstract:

Kenya's national parks and reserves have been substantially improved since the Kenya Wildlife Service began its management program in 1991. However, residents and conservationists are arguing about how the land should be used. Local people strongly disagree with the use of wildlife reserves for sports and other entertainment in tourism. In most circumstances they receive no financial compensation if their homes or possessions are destroyed by the wildlife.

Environmental policy, National parks and reserves, National parks, Kenya

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Ending welfare, leaving the poor to face new risk. International aid. Benefits, opportunities decline for current welfare recipients
• Abstracts: Australian researchers burn down the house. Kentucky researchers complete composite foot bridge. Texas researchers develop simulators for underground fluids
• Abstracts: Ten years of the Chornobyl era. One hundred years of natural selection in the wild. 120 years of Popular Science
• Abstracts: Loving animals to death. New hope for defeating rotavirus. SARS: a rehearsal?
• Abstracts: When the sand comes. Tigers, temples and the Taj Mahal. China's ancestral temples

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.