A Business Owner Is Suffering From Lung Cancer He Repeatedly

A Business Owner Is Suffering From Lung Cancer He Repeatedly Has Trie

A business owner is suffering from lung cancer. He repeatedly has tried to apply for health insurance, but continues to have problems with signing on to the healthcare.gov website. He has also called the 800 number several times to inquire about insurance coverage. He still has not received any help, only promises of what will be done to ensure he is covered. The business owner is now in a hospital with no healthcare coverage, and he is losing faith in himself and the government who promised to allow him an opportunity for coverage.

The business owner's family has filed a lawsuit against the government. Write a memorandum, in a 2-3 page response using APA style, answering the following: Explain what action would help the business owner. Describe what ethical principles are at risk in this case. If you were the judge in this case, how would you rule? Please explain your answer.

Paper For Above instruction

The case of a business owner suffering from lung cancer who encounters persistent barriers in obtaining health insurance highlights critical issues within health policy and ethical responsibilities. This memorandum examines the actions that could aid the business owner, explores the ethical principles at stake, and considers the judicial perspective on such cases. The scenario underscores systemic deficiencies and moral obligations to ensure equitable healthcare access, especially for vulnerable individuals facing life-threatening conditions.

Actions to Assist the Business Owner

The foremost action that would benefit the business owner is the prompt and effective intervention by healthcare agencies to provide immediate coverage or emergency assistance. Given the urgency of his medical condition, the government or relevant health authorities should facilitate an expeditious enrollment process, possibly through compassionate use policies or emergency health provisions (Buchanan, 2019). Additionally, establishing a dedicated case management unit to assist individuals facing technical or bureaucratic hurdles could drastically reduce delays and frustrations (Gawande, 2014).

Moreover, implementing temporary coverage options when standard enrollment fails, such as emergency Medicaid or state-funded crisis healthcare services, would address immediate health needs while resolving systemic issues (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2020). The healthcare.gov platform and call center should also undergo infrastructure improvements to enhance accessibility and responsiveness, ensuring that technical glitches and communication barriers do not inhibit critical health services.

Ethical Principles at Risk

Several core ethical principles are jeopardized in this case, chiefly justice, beneficence, and nonmaleficence. Justice demands equitable access to healthcare regardless of socio-economic status or technical proficiency (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019). The failure to ensure that this individual can secure necessary coverage reflects a breach of social justice, as it denies him fair treatment. Beneficence—the obligation to act in the patient’s best interest—is compromised when systemic failures hinder timely medical intervention for a life-threatening illness. Nonmaleficence, the principle of "do no harm," is violated when bureaucratic barriers result in preventable suffering and deteriorating health conditions.

These principles are further challenged by the ethical responsibility of the government to protect vulnerable populations and uphold their right to healthcare as a fundamental human right (World Health Organization, 2015). The reliance on impersonal digital systems and insufficient support services underscores moral failures in prioritizing efficiency over individual well-being.

The Judge’s Perspective and Ruling

If I were the judge presiding over this case, I would prioritize the ethical obligation to protect vulnerable individuals from systemic neglect. Recognizing that the government has a duty to ensure access to essential health services, I would rule in favor of providing immediate healthcare coverage for the business owner, given his urgent medical needs and documented attempts to access coverage. The ruling would mandate the government to facilitate emergency health coverage, and to undertake systemic reforms to prevent similar failures for others in similar circumstances.

Furthermore, I would emphasize the importance of accountability and transparency in the administration of health programs, urging the government to establish clear, accessible pathways for vulnerable populations. This decision aligns with ethical principles of justice and beneficence and reflects societal commitments to health equity and human dignity (Penkler, 2017).

The ruling would also recommend the implementation of remedial measures such as improved technological infrastructure, dedicated patient support, and oversight mechanisms to ensure that such systemic failures are minimized in the future. This approach balances compassion with accountability, reinforcing the moral imperative to act in service of human health and societal integrity.

Conclusion

The plight of the business owner emphasizes the urgent need for systemic reform in healthcare access and emphasizes the ethical responsibilities of government institutions. Effective action requires not only immediate medical intervention but also structural changes to uphold principles of justice, beneficence, and nonmaleficence. As a hypothetical judge, prioritizing the individual’s health rights and mandating systemic accountability would serve justice and uphold societal commitments to equitable healthcare.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Buchanan, A. (2019). Justice and healthcare access: Ethical considerations. Journal of Medical Ethics, 45(2), 97-102.
• Gawande, A. (2014). Why doctors should deliver better health care. The New Yorker.
• Kaiser Family Foundation. (2020). Medicaid and CHIP eligibility, enrollment, renewal, and cost sharing policies. https://www.kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/medicaid-and-chip-eligibility-enrollment-renewal-and-cost-sharing-policies/
• Penkler, G. (2017). Justice in health care: Ethical frameworks and policy implications. Ethics & Medicine, 33(4), 253-259.
• World Health Organization. (2015). Health systems financing: The path to universal coverage. WHO Press.