>There is an article in "The World In 1998" written by an American health
>care
>economist who predicts that free market forces will dictate how medicine is
>delivered, initially in the USA and subsequently in the UK. I think this is
>inappropriate for health care in the UK and will make it more expensive and
>less
>efficient. I felt compelled to write to The Economist and the letter is
>below.
>
>What do other GP-UK List subscribers think about this seemingly relentless
>march of
>free market economics ?
>
I can summarise my views as following:
Ethics and Free Market don't fit well together.
It will be either one of them.
I prefer the former.
An way of approaching the dilema is answering the question:
What is a good Doctor?
Depending on the initial assumption to start thinking about it, more than
one seemingly correct answer can be constructed.
I'm of the opinion that is such circumstances the ethical view is safe and
sound.
An other way of approaching the topic is to look at the extremes.
In the case of the 'economical' view we readily can agree that the best
patient is one on whom euthanasia will be performed at the age of 55 or 65.
They are comsumers only and are of a insignifacnt economical value. (the
movie 'Soilient Green' comes to my memory)
Greetings
Gerard Freriks
Gerard Freriks,huisarts, MD
C. Sterrenburgstr 54
3151JG Hoek van Holland
the Netherlands Telephone: (+31) (0)174-384296/ Fax: -386249
Mobile : (+31) (0)6-54792800
ARS LONGA, VITA BREVIS
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