Health Care - Minor Points

Debates over health care tend to suffer from an extreme example of what are usually called “repugnant markets.” This type of conversation is characterized by a suspension of rationality due to the inherent distastefulness of the topic; we are loathe to discuss selling organs or babies, for example, regardless of whether such transactions are beneficial to both parties. In health care specifically, I often hear the somewhat nebulous concept of a “right to life” invoked, promoting the view that all people have an inherent right to whatever care they need to survive.

I would like to list a couple factual points which, in my view, cannot be rationally disagreed with.

1.       There will almost always be some procedure, drug, or treatment which has the potential to extend life.

2.       These procedures, drugs, and treatments cost money, often a lot of it.

3.       We are not wealthy enough to provide an arbitrary amount of procedures, drugs, or treatments to everyone who wants them.

These three points mean that we need some form of allocation, whether what we typically call “free markets” (resources allocated to those who are willing/able to pay for them), “rationing” (resources allocated equally to everyone), or …I do not know the word for it, but (resources allocated according to perceived need). Perhaps that is considered some subset of rationing. Combinations of these are also possible, but what is absolutely not possible is for everyone to get whatever resources they want.

Some people who want things cannot have them. Trying to inject morality into the conversation at this stage is completely pointless, whether we are talking about health care or potatoes or shoes. Arguing that we all have a right to whatever treatment we want is no better than arguing that we all have a right to fly private jets; it sounds pretty nice, but it’s simply not possible to do. Morality and “rights” have no bearing on the impossible.

Anyone who goes around touting the “right to life” is not standing on their principles as I suspect they want you to believe; they are simply not being serious. I contend that as a result, they should not be taken seriously.