Distribution of Health Care: The Classical View By: Ronald F. White, Ph.D. College of Mount St. Joseph
Historical Origins Adam Smith –Price theory John Locke –Life, liberty and property F.A. Hayek –Critique of Collectivism Robert Nozick –Libertarianism
Human Nature Rationality Self-Interest Freedom of the Will Pursuit of Private Property
Purpose of Government Harm to Others Protect Private Property Insure Free Markets (Competition) –Acquisition of Property –Transfer of Property (Buyers and Sellers) –Natural Monopolies vs. Artificial Monopolies Insure Voluntariness –Informed Consent
Critique of Social Distribution Arbitrariness Violation of Liberty and Property Rights Totalitarianism Corruption of Leadership
Free-Market Medicine Medicine is an Industry Subject to the Laws of Supply and Demand Principle of Self-Organization Role of Government –Informed consent- –Insure competition Monopolistic Behavior –Restriction of Market Entry and Exit »Licensure »Patents Collusion
Issues Distribution of Scarce Medical Resources –Health Care Needs vs. Wants –Utility Futile Health Care –Justice Least Advantaged Poor Elderly Sick Minorities Women and Children Mentally Ill