References: Hammaker, D.K. & Knadig, T.M. with Tomlinson, S.J. (2017). Preface in Health Care Ethics and the Law. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. © relif/Shutterstock

What Is an Ethical Dilemma? Where there are two or more valid decisions to choose from that are consistent with universal values and principles Where neither the law nor public opinion have reached an ethical consensus that conforms to accepted values © djdarkflower/Shutterstock

List of Ethical Dilemmas Introduction To Health Care Ethics The Ethics of Health Care Values and Principles Confronting Our Health Care System The Ethics Of Access To Health Care Access to Affordable Health Insurance Patients’ Rights and Responsibilities Charitable Care and Tax-Exempt Hospitals The Ethical Development Of Human Capital Employers’ Health Costs Management and Labor Relations Improving The Quality And Equality Of Health Care Evidence-Based Medicine Medical Malpractice © vector illustration/Shutterstock

List of Ethical Dilemmas Continued Our Health Care System’s Ethical Response To Vulnerable Members Of Society Mental Health The HIV/AIDS Pandemic Environmental Safety and Gun Injury Prevention Pressing Issues Facing Our Health Care System Women’s Reproductive Health Nutrition and Food Safety End-of-Life Care Our Future Health Care System A New Kind of Health Care Ethics © vector illustration/Shutterstock

When faced with an ethical dilemma and the discussion ideas described herein: © Lunarus/Shutterstock Take into consideration the strengths and weaknesses of the various decision-making models in considering these discussion ideas. Determine which model is relatively better suited to assist in resolving the various ethical dilemmas. Reach a judgment on the basis of personal reflection of universal values and principles, while recognizing that ethical decisions do not always lead to sound policy. The greater societal context of decisions should be considered, as opposed to supporting the status quo.

Discussion Having considered the preceding ethical dilemmas, you can now decide: Whose responsibility is it to assemble the resources to pay for the health care that we will all seek over the course of our lifetimes? How much of the cost of health care should properly rest on the individual seeking care? Does our answer to this change depend on whether the diseases needing treatment are in the genes, are in the lifestyle, or appear to be simply accidental bad luck? How much of the cost of health care should rest on groups of individuals, using private insurance companies as instrumentalities to voluntarily associate with one another to pool and spread risk? And how much of the cost of health care is within the proper reach of the government, particularly for those with limited means?