Please respond to these 2 discussions below
Read the following quote by Hubert H. Humphrey, United States politician (1911-1978).
“It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped.”
Post a response to the discussion board by addressing the following questions:
1. Do you agree or disagree with the Humphrey statement? Why or why not?
2. State your reasons based on your knowledge of the health care system, current research, observations in the clinical area, and personal experience.
3. Justify your responses with appropriate resources.
Discussion #1
I fully concur with Hubert Humphrey’s assertion regarding the ethical evaluation of government. The manner in which society and its governing institutions handle vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals experiencing health issues, is indicative of their ethical orientation. First and foremost, it is crucial to acknowledge the distinct requirements and susceptibilities of these populations from the standpoint of the healthcare system. Children rely on adults for their welfare and progress, and they necessitate specific safeguards and provisions to guarantee their sound maturation. The elderly, who frequently encounter many health ailments and diminished autonomy, merit dignity and adequate care during their final years. Likewise, individuals who are experiencing disease, disability, or economic difficulty require support networks to guarantee that their fundamental needs are fulfilled and their rights are respected.
Furthermore, contemporary studies in healthcare ethics emphasize the significance of giving priority to these specific groups. Research repeatedly shows that investing in early childhood healthcare and education yields significant long-term societal advantages. This indicates that providing support during the early stages of life results in improved outcomes during maturity. Furthermore, research emphasizes the moral obligation to offer all-encompassing healthcare for older individuals, which encompasses palliative and end-of-life therapies, in order to maintain their dignity and alleviate their pain and distress (Braveman, 2014).
I have seen for myself how policies and resources affect these weak groups in clinical situations. Inequalities in healthcare access and outcomes are common when policies and funds aren’t up to par. These problems affect children, the elderly, and the sick the most. On the other hand, programs that put these groups first, like childhood vaccine programs or coordinating care for the elderly, make a real difference in their health and well-being. From my own experience, I know how important it is to care for people in the dawn, twilight, and darkness of life. As you deal with pediatric patients, elderly family members, or people who are having health problems, it becomes clear that their well-being is about more than just medical care. It’s also about compassion, dignity, and social justice (Heckman, 2006).
What Humphrey said really hits home for me in terms of how I understand healthcare ethics and social justice ideals. Putting the needs of vulnerable groups first shows that you want to live in a fair and caring society. When we care about the health and well-being of children, the elderly, and the sick, we support basic morals and help make society better as a whole.
References:
Braveman, P. (2014). What are health disparities and health equity? We need to be clear.
Public Health Reports, 129(Suppl 2), 5–8.
Heckman, J. J. (2006). Skill formation and the economics of investing in disadvantaged children. Science, 312(5782), 1900–1902.
Discussion #2
I believe that a nation is only as strong as its citizens I agree with the statement, “It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped”,(Humphrey, 1978). In order for a nation to have strong citizens, its population needs to have access to great health care. The world would judge how a nation treats its population at any aspect of its life, whether it is from birth to the end of life. I believe that citizens should feel safe. Supported throughout all aspects of life by their government. In order for our communities to continue to thrive, we need to feel confident in our leaders and government.
I have witnessed health care firsthand for the last 13 years as I have grown from a nurse assistant to a registered nurse. Our healthcare system is not perfect, but it is one of the better ones throughout the world. All citizens and non-citizens will receive life-threatening emergency help regardless of their status, regardless if they have insurance or if they can pay it back. This is 1 positive of this nation that it is willing to help everyone. However, I have also seen the other aspects of health care as a health care provider. We need to fix the system for many individuals retiring later in life; it is expensive for them to continue living in their home residence yet alone pay for an assisted living facility. The cost of health care insurance continues to increase every year, and if you are a retired individual, your retirement check remains the same. Even for currently employed residents, it is difficult to afford health care insurance, along with the cost of inflation going up every year. Over the last couple of years, inflation has surpassed the pay increase for most individuals, even professionals.
“Prices increased 13.8 percent from January 2021 to October 2022, costing the average American household $747 last month alone”,(United States Congress, 2022). I believe that it is our government’s duty to look deeper into this situation. The Affordable Care Act provides access to millions of Americans to now be eligible for healthcare insurance. It remains unaffordable for the minimum wage workers. With current inflation going on, it puts a strain on most citizens. It makes you pick whether you can afford your daily expenses, or do you suffer and run the risk of not having healthcare insurance when an emergency arises. Mr. Humphrey’s statement remains as strong today as when he delivered it.
Resources:
United States Congress. (2022). State inflation tracker November 2022.
Hubert H. Humphrey, United States politician (1911-1978)
