In addition, Meropol recognizes the “potential for conflict between an oncologist’s perceived responsibility to society and perceived responsibility to individual patients.” If those allegiances are at odds, patient care could be compromised.

Ultimately, the decision on which treatment to pursue will always rest with the patient. The undeniable reality for oncologists is that providing high-quality care now means discussing the price of it, too.

Note: This story was originally printed with the title, "Bills of Health".

5 Comments

1. 1. danw 08:26 PM 8/19/08

   Patients know the cost of their health care; they get the bills. If they can't pay, in many cases they simply don't get the care they need. The idea that the US doesn't ration health care is absurd; we ration it on the basis of ability to pay.
   
   The question that physicians evade is, do patients have a right to essential care or not? If not, just send home anyone who can't pay; if they die, that's their problem. But if Americans have a right to essential health care, as citizens of most other industrialized countries do, then we need a system that assures they get the care they need.
   
   To choose an appropriate treatment on the basis of the co-pay set by the insurer creates an irrational incentive for insurers to cut the cost of treating cancer patients in the most effective possible way; by limiting access to treatments that extend life.
   
   Any article that addresses health care policy must first clearly state whether or not Americans have a right to essential health care. It is futile to debate strategy when we have not chosen a goal.

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2. 2. abhiabhi 03:39 AM 11/7/08

   <A HREF=http://www.drugrehabscenters.com/terms/Inpatient-and-Outpatient-Care/index.html>Outpatient care</A> has its use however, as the stepping-stone from inpatient drug rehabilitation, and entering the world as a renewed person. This method of care is one of the most successful means to help patients such as yourself, who has identified the need for help as you battle the specter of addiction. This method also reduces the cost of treatment
   
   http://www.drugrehabscenters.com/terms/Inpatient-and-Outpatient-Care/index.html
   

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3. 3. mayes 04:13 AM 4/24/09

   please give me more information about this
   mayes
   <a href=http://www.drugstrategies.org/Treatment/Florida> Florida Drug Treatment Centers</a>

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4. 4. ABHI 11:08 AM 6/21/10

   If little amount of poison given to new born child then he can digest ressit so in simmilar manner if we feed cancer ressisting vaccine to new born child then his body avoid cancer in feature. please will you answer. thak you

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5. 5. ABHI 11:13 AM 6/21/10

   If we feed very little amount of poison to new born child then he can ressist and digest it ,so in simmilar manner if feed some amount of canncer vaccine, then object can ressist cancer in feature. please reply me.thak you.

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