A WSJ blog post today raises the argument that rationing in healthcare already exists and, despite the negative connotation, we should accept the reality of its existence and effectively formalize it so that it may be accomplished by intent rather than by default, as limited funds simply dictate.
Now, this of course harkens back to 1993 when the similar consideration was raised during the prior attempt at healthcare reform. (Does everyone remember Oregon?)
Others may better debate the merits from an economic standpoint than I can, so I will leave it to them. But, I do believe that we cannot ignore reality, especially when it is a problem of its current magnitude, and when doing so simply lets the problem fester, as we have done in the U.S. healthcare system for the past 16 years.
It is time to deal with the problem.
