To deliver quality and affordable medical services, governments and politicians introduce various healthcare policies and reforms. One of such significant and wide-ranging reforms was the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010, which, already from its enactment, has caused fierce and long-term debates. This paper aims at discussing the essential ethical issues, namely, moral foundations, public health, cost containment, ED crowding, access to care, and end-of-life issues, and their outcomes that should be considered for future healthcare reform.
The moral foundations state that the healthcare system strives at achieving four fundamental goals and desires, namely, high-quality care, freedom of choice, affordability of care, and a full share of the benefits of healthcare. In this regard, debates are primarily based on the differences in moral beliefs and values, including individual responsibility, individual liberty, and market capitalism. Personally, I firmly believe that the US government should follow and implement these foundations by making medical services affordable and imposing limitations on providers’ fees and drug prices. In this regard, patients’ life and health should be of top priority, despite the financial damage that the private health insurance and pharmaceutical industry will incur. Moreover, every citizen should make the best possible part of the development of the healthcare system.
Regarding cost containment, the government should pursue the policy of cost containment, principally through the effective distribution of limited resources and the development of appropriate and actual strategies. Otherwise, steadily increasing costs of medical services will lead to the inability to provide quality and safe care for most of the citizens. Concerning prevention and public health, I consider that the legislation should continue encouraging citizens to take care of their health by providing education and funding programs for healthy living. Finally, it is worth noting that while developing the next reform, the government should focus on the efficient allocation of restricted resources and promoting leading a healthy and cautious lifestyle among people. These approaches will substantially reduce the cost of healthcare and facilitate the attainment of goals indicated in the PPACA.