According to the CDC, “in the United States, the proportion of the population aged
>65 years is projected to increase from 12496 in 2000 to 19.696 in 2030,” (CDo, 2003,
paa- 2)- Caring for this aging population is going to be one of the greatest challenges
facing the health care industry- Not only will the number of individuals requiring care
rise, but so will the cost- As poignantly stated by Crippen and Barnato, “unless we
change the practice of medicine and reduce futu’e costs, and explicitly addess the
ethical dilemmas we face, there may come a time when ou’ kids simply cannot afford
us” (2011, p- 128)-

In this Discussion, you will examine the ethical issues that the United States and other
nations must addess when faced with the health care challenges of an aging
population-

 

 

Consider the ethical aspects of health care and health policy for an aging population-
Review the Hayutin, Dielz, and Mitchell report presented in the Learning Resowces-
The authors pose the question, “What are the economic consequences, now and for
futu’e generations of taxpayers if we fail to adapt ou’ policies to the changing reality
of an older population?” (p- 21)- Consider how you would respond to this question- In
addition, reflect on the ethical decisions that arise when dispersing limited funds-
Oontemplate the impact of failing to adjust policy in accordance with the changing
reality of an older population-

Reflect on the ethical dilemmas that arise when determining expenditu’es on end-of-
life health care-

BY Day 3

Post an explanation of the ethical standards you believe should be used in
determining how resouces should be allocated for an aging population and end-of-life
care- Then, provide an analysis of the ethical challenges related to the preparation for
the provision of such health care-