The constitutional right to health care: denial in the court

Article Abstract:

Legal precedents are examined in an effort to prove that adequate health care services are a constitutional right of all Americans. The Supreme Court ruled in Maher v. Roe and Harris v. McRae that state and federal legislatures were not obligated to pay for abortion services for poor women. A federal ruling stated that Medicaid will only pay for an abortion when there is a life-threatening pregnancy. Another judge ruled that access to nonemergency care was a basic necessity of life like general welfare assistance. In a case in Georgia, an appeals court ruled that the county was not obligated to perform patient-requested emergency services. This case is a strong obstacle to instituting a constitutional right to health care services. It is suggested that a new right be named and a constitutional amendment created. Examples of what would constitute this human right can be seen in the constitutions of other nearby governments.

Author: Curran, William J.
Analysis, Interpretation and construction, Cases, Medical care, Medical policy, Health policy, Civil rights, Patient advocacy, column

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Geographic favoritism in liver transplantation - unfortunate or unfair?

Article Abstract:

Physicians should support a proposed federal regulation that would create a national waiting list for liver transplants. As of 1998, most donated livers were given to patients who live in the same geographic area as the donor. This was originally done because the liver had to be transplanted quickly before it began to die. However, organs can now be stored for up to 20 hours and could be shipped on commercial airlines. Many physicians criticize the government for making medical decisions. But the current system causes long waiting periods for those in some areas while others receive a transplant quickly.

Author: Caplan, Arthur L., Ubel, Peter A.
Liver, Liver transplantation, Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc., Organ transplantation, Tissue transplantation, Transplantation

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Subjects list: Laws, regulations and rules
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