But Emanuel wants doctors to look beyond the needs of their patients and consider social justice, such as whether the money could be better spent on somebody else.
Many doctors are horrified by this notion; they'll tell you that a doctor's job is to achieve social justice one patient at a time.
Emanuel, however, believes that "communitarianism" should guide decisions on who gets care. He says medical care should be reserved for the non-disabled, not given to those "who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens . . . An obvious example is not guaranteeing health services to patients with dementia" (Hastings Center Report, Nov.-Dec. '96).
Please read and copy and post! From NYPOST here.
HT from Kevin James at KRLA 870 AM here.
When I heard this last night on Kevin James' show I thought instantly about The Nazi Dr. Mengele. The difference between Mengele and Emanuel is that the Nazi inflicted pain and suffering. Emanuel suggests withholding treatment if the cost of the treatment outweighs the quality of life of the patient. So if you are disabled, too old, too young, etc. if your sickness is too severe to treat then you are denied the treatment because of the cost. And that medical procedure will not be available to you even if you were able to pay out of your pocket! I take it as if you are denied the treatment it is still torture! Welcome the new "Angel of Death" Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel.
No comments:
Post a Comment