Virtual Mentor. June 2008, Volume 10, Number 6.

Ethics Poll

Taking the Best Care of Our Senior Citizens

The Ethics Poll is a snapshot of the opinions of interested readers.

The media frequently carry stories of injuries, deaths, and property damage caused by impaired elderly drivers. One response to the problem might be mandatory revocation of drivers' licenses. If this were done, what do you think is the best occasion for doing so?
When drivers reach 65.
When drivers reach 72.
When drivers reach 80.
When a person aged 65 or more has been found to be at fault in a motor vehicle accident.
When a physical exam shows cognitive or functional impairment that could pose a hazard to safe driving.
Never.

Medicare is projected to go bankrupt within the next 10 years, as the number of workers contributing to the federal entitlement program declines in relation to the number of elderly drawing upon the funds. Which of the following actions would, by itself, make the most beneficial contribution to restoring Medicare's fiscal solvency?
A universal health care system with some age-related rationing of services.
Raising the age at which seniors become eligible for benefits.
Refusal to cover expensive treatments that have marginal benefits.
A sliding scale of deductibles and copayments based on the financial status of the care recipient.
Cuts in physician and hospital reimbursements.

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Poll results reflect the opinions of visitors to the site who voluntarily answer the poll questions. Those visitors do not represent a random sample of our readers. The viewpoints expressed on this site are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the AMA.