From Rationing to "Rational" with End-of-Life Care

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2010/03/24/End-of-Life_Care_A_Debate

Bioethicist Arthur Caplan and physician Ira Byock discuss the controversial issue of end-of-life care. Byock laments many Americans' "superstitious" fear of death, which, he argues, leads to many irrational medical decisions.

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Rising budget deficits have become a principal concern of the American people in recent months, and are already a cause célèbre for politicians in both parties ahead of this year's midterm elections.

Yet the current round of healthcare negotiations has largely sidestepped one of the most costly elements in health spending: end-of-life patient care. - Miller Center of Public Affairs

Arthur Caplan serves as the Emanuel and Robert Hart Professor of Bioethics, Chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and the Director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

He is the author or editor of twenty-five books and over 500 papers in refereed journals of medicine, science, philosophy, bioethics and health policy. His most recent book is Smart Mice Not So Smart People (2006).

Ira Byock is Director of Palliative Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Professor at Dartmouth Medical School. He is a past president (1997) of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He served previously as Director for Promoting Excellence in End-of-Life Care (1996-2006), a national grant program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Byock is the author of numerous books and articles on the ethics and practice of hospice, palliative and end-of-life care, including Dying Well (1997) and The Four Things That Matter Most (2004).

Category:

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[BigPurple121]

We don't have to agree as a society. End of life is not a society's decision; it's an individual's decision, a very private decision. This discussion is moot, hopefully.

[truvelocity]

Que-Tip - $9.99

Diaper - $39.99

Extra day in hospital stay - $1,700.00

Oh yes... You should see the rip offs going on.

[1swordpen]

If you are putting your hands in my pocket to keep your comatose relative existing by keeping them on a ventilator, dialysis and periodic EEGs to convince you they are barely described as living , It is the business and taxes of all society.USA is the only country that does this level of futile care.

[GBS990]

Let's get over it? Well. I hope it's not your mom who goes before that panel. You better be well connected if you want a chance to save her. News flash: 99.99+% of us are not well connected.

[BigPurple121]

@Viracocha711

I asked you to cite what he wrote so you'd see your misinterpretation. His idea of market regulation is not equal to your idea of redistribution

Feel free to explain your assertion that my dialysis interpretation is 'naive.' While your at it, explain how your idea of a fixed health-care economy interprets the explosion of pharmaceuticals, widespread use of bypass surgery, or any of one of the once rare medical treatments that are now common.

[Viracocha711]

@BigPurple121 Like I said, you are very NAIVE! Obviously you have never read The wealth of Nations or you would know what Smith intended, what he liked and what he hated and warned would break down the system...Smith wanted business to be done by folks who had a personal interest in the company they ran (i.e., Their MONEY) . Smith would SPIT on our idea of Corporate run Capitalism. Dude your "dialysis machines" example PROVES just how naive you are!

[HanshiRonin67]

I thought this was an actual discussion. Then I watched and realized they were comedians. No real answers here.

[BigPurple121]

Please cite where Smith proposes market regulation.

Healthcare is an economy; therefore it is dynamic and unlimited.

Dialysis is a good example of your flawed logic. For the first few years, the use of this machine was decided by a panel. Wealth wasn't considered & the # of machines stayed below 100. When that stopped, it became profitable to make dialysis machines. Today, dialysis machines are almost unlimited thanks to resources being distributed based on wealth not need.

[MichaelnChristine]

I would love to see the healthcare paradigm shift. I don't know how it could be done but if everyone felt it was important to use their body as a tool and bike or walk when possible, to do some gardening we would be much better off. I worked in the industry and had a person say they had to choose between buying drugs and driving, they couldn't afford both. They started walking to work and with-in 2 months were off 9/12 prescriptions. By the end of the 3 they were down to 1.

[Viracocha711]

@BigPurple121 Again, to be very clear...If you honestly think there unlimited resources within the health Care Industry then you are very naive! It is time to turn off talk radio & FOX News and learn some real facts about how capitalism works and why it needs responsible regulation and responsible social programs to keep it running for the better of society! Even Adam Smith the founder of modern day Capitalist thinking understoof this very important fact!

[Viracocha711]

@BigPurple121 Did I say the "economy" has limited resouces or did I say there are limited resources within the Health Care Industry/ You have a very flawed or naive view of the issue! I am a very strong advocate of free markets but profiting off the health of our citizens is disgusting! However, it is the system we have so it needs RESPONSIBLE REGULATION! If you still hold the failed idea that markets regulate themselves then that simply confirms my earlier statement that you are NAIVE!