'Ethical Dilemmas' Created by Socialism
June 27, 2005
8:25 a.m., MT

As socialism's tentacles extend further, what used to be common sense becomes increasingly uncommon. Hence the result of a study reported in EurekAlert, Conflicts pitting doctors vs. patients/kin is #1 issue in medical ethics, Canadian experts say. First three paragraphs:

The biggest issue in medical ethics today is the growing occurrence of conflict between health care providers, their patients and patients' families over treatment options, according to Canadian medical ethicists in a survey published today.

Asked by the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics, an international medical ethics think tank, to rank "the top 10 ethical challenges that Canadians may face in health care," 12 full-time ethicists at Toronto area hospitals cited as number one: disagreements over treatment decisions between health care professionals, patients and their families.

Panelists say such disagreements typically involve health care professionals who recommend a treatment option (i.e. increased or decreased treatment) with which patients and their families disagree, and vice versa.

A physician, or any other health-care provider, is an employee of the sick person, and/or his or her designees. The terms of the contract can be short-term, as in caring for an acute illness or injury or performing surgery, or long-term, such as helping an individual monitor and treat a chronic condition such as diabetes. Either can terminate the contract for any reason. The sick person might do so, for example, if he dislikes the service he's getting, or if it's too expensive, or if the physician isn't open to his ideas or feedback. A physician may refuse further treatment if the ill person wants to pursue a treatment the physician can't perform, or the physician thinks may be more harmful than beneficial, or for failing to pay for services rendered.

Well, in reality that's a very rough sketch of the way it would work in a genuine free market. Neither Canada nor the USSA has anything approaching that in medical care. The legal system has become so entwined in the practice of medicine that I don't know how it might ever be excised (as well it ought, except for a few legitimate circumstances). You don't like what a doctor's doing? Sue him, rather than find another one! The doctor doesn't like the treatment course a patient wants to pursue? Bring in a psychologist or psychiatrist-collaborator to have him declared mentally incompetent, then force unwanted treatment on him! Take a beloved child away if the parents' decision-making goes against what the state's medicrats think is best for its herd animals ... We all have read enough stories of this sort. But it's worse than just those.

In many places, laws restrict the number of certain kinds of medical equipment available, and who's authorized to use them. This creates artificial scarcities, and inflates prices. For the life of me, I don't understand why people have allowed this outrageous situation to develop in such an intensely personal area as health care. I think a good part of it arises from the high esteem doctors were once held in -- and which they often encouraged beyond a reasonable scope. That allowed the medical guild to get away with telling ordinary folks, "This is complicated. You'd better just trust us." Well, trust is one thing -- abusing it to keep disadvantaged people under one's power is something entirely different, and quite ugly.

Er, I'm getting rather far afield of my original point, but there's a lot contributing to the abysmal state of medicine here and it's a topic I get exercised over quite easily. I've a very dear friend who refers to MDs in general as "evil monopolists"; I used to think that hyperbole, but not any more. To the degree a doctor wields undue authority over a sick person arising from fear of legal repercussion or protectionist laws, that person is evil. It's an egregious abuse of the trust a sick person (or his family, if he's incapacitated) places in a person contracted to help him get better.

Sunni

Replies: 10 people have spoken!

On Monday, June 27th, at approximately 10:22 a.m. Mountain time, John Newnham said:

So true Sunni. Seems like many professions seek protection, develop a language and mystique, and claim to have power they don't really have (because after all consumers are just too stupid).

On Monday, June 27th, at approximately 10:32 a.m. Mountain time, Sunni said:

Y'know, John, I don't think consumers are all that stupid in the main ... but many do tend to be lazy. And lazy consumers can do some pretty stupid things (spoken from experience).

On Monday, June 27th, at approximately 10:47 a.m. Mountain time, Pat said:

Other factors involved are government, insurance & pharmaceutical companies.

Neither believes the patient or family has any right to determine their own life or lifestyle.
The govt-insurance-pharmaceutical conglomerate has conspired to tell the doctor: how to diagnose; how to treat; how long a patient stays in the hospital for a given condition; how much to charge for each condition (i.e. how much insurance will pay for it) and even which and how many supplies are covered -- forcing the patient to cover the rest out of pocket; which doctor she/he must see; which condition can be referred to a specialist (and often only *that* specialist may see the patient for *that* condition in a given geographical area); etc, etc.

Physicians have done their share of sucking up to government and pharmaceutical companies, in order to put themselves in this position; and they're the first to tell you they are "gods" -- but the interference by government, insurance and drug companies in the medical field is what has placed patients in such a DIRE predicament today that they have little or no choices.

During this same period of time, however, television and the internet have given knowledge to the patient and the family. They now have access to more information re care, including awareness of alternative medicine; and an increasing desire to do their own thing since the 60's (many of them are former hippies, after all!) has resulted in their questioning everything, including doctors.

Hopefully they will reach an impasse soon -- 'hopefully' because I'd like to see a rebellion against the medical field take place.
But I don't hold my breath, because there are too many sheeple out there willing to do what they're told -- and more willing to take Medicare/welfare than they are willing to take responsibility for themselves.

On Monday, June 27th, at approximately 10:55 a.m. Mountain time, John said:

I was being sarcastic...sorry Sunni The medical and psuedo-medical professions believe so, not me! (Haven't had my coffee yet and the sarcasm doesnt roll off the toungue too smoothly.)

On Monday, June 27th, at approximately 11:10 a.m. Mountain time, Sunni said:

That makes a lot more sense, John! And I empathize with the hazards of communicating pre-coffee ...

Pat, all you've said gets a vigorous nod in agreement from me; I didn't mean to imply that only doctors are responsible. And, of course, not all doctors are. But it's a crippling, killing mess all the same, and I'd rather be clear of it. I know of no way to gain that kind of freedom in this country, though.

On Monday, June 27th, at approximately 11:51 a.m. Mountain time, Cat said:

A book on the subject of medicine that I can't recommend highly or often enough is Ivan Illich's "Medical Nemesis." It's a masterful examination of the problems with modern health care systems - Illich explains why the system actually manufactures and maintains much unnecessary iatrogenic illness, more than it heals natural or existing illness. It's far and away the best book on medicine I've ever read - I consider myself extremely fortunate to have stumbled into a copy in a used bookstore many years ago. It apparently met with a good deal of resistance from the medical establishment's powers-that-be, and may not be an easy title to acquire - but is surely worth the effort.

Ivan Illich describes the modern 'health care' system as "sick-making," often primarily protective of contemporary causes of ill health resulting from various other vertically structured social systems and institutions, rather than curative of disease.

Another book I'd like to recommend, but can't say I've had the opportunity to read, is "Take Control of Your Health," by Elaine Hollingsworth. I ordered the book about six weeks ago - apparently the check was promptly received and my order promptly sent... and the shipment evidently promptly disappeared into the bowels of the Postal System en route to me.

Why would the government ban a book when the PO seems able to make it conveniently disappear, and mainstream retailers appear afraid to carry it? In case anyone else wishes to test the P.O.'s seemingly magical sleight of hand abilities, see the website Doctorsaredangerous.com. I'd love to hear from anyone who orders and actually receives a copy, or has in the past, and I can only hope that my order might someday arrive despite sun, shine, or warm summer rain one of these days - better late than never!!!

As a final note, I'd like to say that I sincerely believe that any type of mandatory insurance will protect the interests of established coercive systems, rather than providing protection to insured individuals the way insurance should work in a free, voluntary, and competitive market. After all, there is no law I'm aware of mandating that individuals contract for telephone service, or own a television - it would seem absurd to make non-telephone ownership a crime. And if television service were mandatory, I suspect that'd create an increasing number of new "TV outlaws." As if the prisons aren't already full enough with hapless victims of the "War on Drugs," and psychiatric institutions weren't full enough of "drug resistors" and potential "abusers"...

On Monday, June 27th, at approximately 12:22 p.m. Mountain time, Sunni said:

My, I seem to have struck a nerve here ...

I've read a book or two by Russians on the Soviet medical system, but I'm having trouble with titles ... Cancer Ward, I think, and I'm striking out on the second ... Illuminating enough back when I read it, even more appallingly relevant now.

On Tuesday, June 28th, at approximately 5:02 p.m. Mountain time, MamaLiberty said:

The one thing I miss in many of the articles and books I've seen about this problem is the most basic fact that people need to take personal responsibility for their own health and welfare, in spite of what government and doctors would have us do.

Most of us are born with good health, but unfortunately, many of us discover this truth late enough in life that we have accumulated assorted bad habits and are already experiencing health problems.

It's never too late while we breathe, however, and most of us can regain good health with a careful attention to diet, hydration and reduction of poisons we ingest or breathe, as well as maintaining a positive attitude and reduced stress.

It's the ultimate test of personal responsibility for our choices and actions. Nobody can do it for us, no matter how much money we give them or how much we trust them.

I've gone from 85% disabled just over two years ago to less than 40% now. I have a long way to go, and am ever seeking better ways to manage my condition and regain my strength.

It's easy to find fault with others, but much harder to come to terms with our own culpability in this situation. It was a bitter pill for me, you can bet, but I'm determined to make the most of what life and health is left to me.

Know yourself, and to your own self be true.

On Tuesday, June 28th, at approximately 8:29 p.m. Mountain time, freeman said:

Plenty of good thoughts being expressed here. I'll have to add that Illich book to my summer "to read" list.

I've had a number of bad habits myself over the years, but I'm working on getting rid of them and replacing them with better ones. In addition to increased exercise, drinking more water, eating more veggies, and buying organic food when possible, I also went out and bought some fancy health food yesterday while buying some vitamins and whatnot for my mom. I ended up buying some fish oil capsules, frozen shots of wheatgrass juice, spirulina powder, hemp seeds and hemp protein powder (up yours, DEA!)

On Wednesday, June 29th, at approximately 8:41 a.m. Mountain time, Sunni said:

Mama, thanks for chiming in. Personal responsibility and self-control are indeed paramount to maintaining or regaining one's health. You'll probably be pleased to know that I've finally begun working on that with respect to my breathing.

Home
Previous entry: "Lines and Questions ... and my Answer"
Next entry: "PorcFest Update"