The Interaction Between Ethics and Economics in Planning Health Care for the Aged

Summary

This chapter integrates two sets of discussions about health care of the elderly: ethical issues in health care of the aged, and health economics of an aging, developed country.

Many of the standard issues in medical ethics such as the right to refuse treatment, the right to demand treatment, and the definition of death frequently arise in the health care of the aged. These ethical issues traditionally considered in cases of acutely ill patients are also relevant to persons of all ages who are chronically ill. Full discussion of the ethical issues surrounding treatment of the chronically ill requires exploring options for premeditated choice of the patient and alternative care for the patient in lieu of aggressive medical treatment.

There is growing concern about the rapidly escalating percentage of the Gross National Product devoted to health care, especially for the elderly. The ethical decisions made in the treatment of older patients will have a significant impact on the cost of health care as well as on its moral quality.