Since The President Has Been Admitted To Walter Reed Medical ✓ Solved

Since The President Has Been Admitted To Walter Reed Medical Center Fo

Since the President has been admitted to Walter Reed Medical Center for COVID 19 under the reasoning of “Abundance of Caution,” even though the President presented with minimal symptoms, the nation’s hospitals have been seeing a flooding of newly diagnosed COVID 19 patients requesting early admission and receiving the same aggressive advanced treatment care the President is getting to avoid the inflammatory cytokine storm. In a minimal of 500 words, how would you defend the ordinary citizen’s expectation for equal treatment?

Sample Paper For Above instruction

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the disparity in medical treatment between prominent figures such as the President and ordinary citizens has raised significant ethical and societal questions about fairness and equity in healthcare. While prioritizing the health of national leaders may seem justified given their critical roles, it is essential to consider the fundamental principle that all individuals deserve equal access to quality healthcare, regardless of social status or political position. This paper explores the arguments defending the expectation of equitable treatment for ordinary citizens amid the high-profile medical care afforded to the President, emphasizing the importance of fairness, social trust, and systemic integrity.

Firstly, the principle of medical ethics, particularly justice, underscores that healthcare resources and treatment should be distributed fairly among all individuals. According to Beauchamp and Childress (2013), justice demands that patients are treated with fairness, and no one should be deprived of care based solely on their social status, political influence, or wealth. The President’s medical scenario, although highlighting the importance of safeguarding national leadership, does not negate the rights of ordinary citizens to quality healthcare. If the special treatment for the President is perceived as preferential, it risks undermining public trust and confidence in the healthcare system, leading to increased dissatisfaction and perceptions of inequality (Gawande, 2017).

Ethical Considerations in Healthcare

From an ethical perspective, equitable treatment reinforces the social contract between citizens and healthcare providers. When the public observes that political leaders receive preferential treatment, it may foster skepticism about the fairness of healthcare policies and erode societal cohesion. The concept of social justice posits that all individuals, regardless of socio-economic status, deserve equal access to essential health services (Rawls, 1971). Thus, the expectation that ordinary citizens should receive the same level of care, especially during a crisis, aligns with democratic ideals and moral obligations upheld by medical institutions.

Practical Arguments for Equal Treatment

Furthermore, from a public health standpoint, equitable treatment ensures better overall outcomes for society. During a pandemic, treating only high-profile individuals while neglecting vulnerable populations can lead to uncontrolled spread and exacerbate health disparities (Case & Deaton, 2020). Providing equitable access to COVID-19 testing, hospitalization, and treatment for all citizens promotes social solidarity and enhances collective resilience, which is vital for controlling infectious diseases (Kohut et al., 2021). Denying equal treatment could foster resentment, reduce compliance with public health measures, and ultimately harm the societal fabric.

Addressing Concerns About Resource Allocation

It is understandable that resources are strained during health crises, but the perception of favoritism in treatment should be addressed transparently. Healthcare systems can prioritize high-risk and severely ill patients based on medical need rather than social standing. Transparent policies and communication can help reassure the public that resource allocation is grounded in fairness, thus maintaining trust and morale (Gostin & Hodge, 2020). Moreover, investing in equitable healthcare infrastructure is essential to prevent disparities and ensure that all individuals receive appropriate care in future emergencies.

The Role of Public Trust and Social Equity

Public trust is critical for effective pandemic response efforts. When citizens see that everyone receives the same standard of care, they are more likely to adhere to public health guidelines and support vaccination campaigns. Conversely, perceived inequality diminishes social cohesion and can lead to civil unrest or non-compliance with health measures (Petersen et al., 2020). Upholding the expectation of equal treatment affirms societal values of fairness and reinforces the social contract that supports democratic governance and public health.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the heightened medical care given to the President may be motivated by national security concerns, it should not justify a systemic deviation from the principle of equity. Ordinary citizens have a rightful expectation for equal treatment based on fundamental ethical standards, the need for social trust, and the collective benefit of health equity. Ensuring that healthcare is provided fairly and transparently fosters social cohesion, enhances public health outcomes, and sustains the moral fabric of society.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of biomedical ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Case, A., & Deaton, A. (2020). COVID-19 and health disparities. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(29), 16227-16230.
• Gawande, A. (2017). The checklist manifesto: How to get things right. Metropolitan Books.
• Gostin, L. O., & Hodge, J. G. (2020). US emergency legal preparedness and response to COVID-19. JAMA, 323(12), 1129-1130.
• Kohut, A., et al. (2021). Public attitudes towards health inequalities during COVID-19. The Lancet Public Health, 6(8), e555-e563.
• Petersen, M. B., et al. (2020). Trust in government and public compliance with health policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 16(11), 2804-2808.
• Rawls, J. (1971). A theory of justice. Harvard University Press.