From Harvard: "...until the public accepts that rationing, done right, is an ethical necessity, not an ethical abomination."

J Clin Ethics. 2014 Summer;25(2):116-119.

Detoxifying the Concept of Rationing.

Sabin J.

Author information

• Harvard Medical School, Department of Population Medicine, 133 Brookline Avenue, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02215 USA. jim_sabin@harvardpilgrim.org.

Abstract

Andrew Hantel's proposal for dealing with cancer drug shortages exemplifies the kind of clinician-led discussion of rationing the U.S. political process requires. I argue that the U.S. will not get a grip on healthcare cost escalation until we set true budgets for healthcare. We will not be able to do that until the public accepts that rationing, done right, is an ethical necessity, not an ethical abomination. Because endorsing rationing is a third rail for politicians, "top down" leadership is currently impossible. As a result, health professionals must lead a "bottom up" educational process. Hantel shows how this can be done.