The concern over rationing in health care has been all over the place lately with the political fight over health insurance reform. Is rationing an unfortunate necessity? In the article Confessions of a Health Care Rationer, Dr. Eric Chevlen takes up the issue and argues that, unfortunately, it is. I found the article interesting because it gave me a greater understanding of the other sides’ viewpoint. As doctors, we hate rationing, it means patients who could benefit from care don’t receive it, and while I still don’t like it, I appreciate understanding it a little better.
Unfortunately as an alternative provider, the medical evidence used to ration care still almost exclusively excludes the kind of care I do, meaning many patients are unable to benefit from it.
The article is a little long, but worth reading. Find it here.
What are your thoughts? Is rationing an unfortunate necessity? Share them with us in the comments section below.