1.Managed care organizations emphasize physicians’
responsibilities to control patient access to expensive hospitalization and
specialty care, a principle dubbed “gatekeeping.” Some argue that
“gatekeeping” is unethical because it introduces financial factors
into treatment decisions. Others say it improves quality by promoting the use
of the most appropriate levels of care. Take a position on this issue and
explain your view.

2.If we accept the premises that resources available to meet
the costs of health care are finite, and that continuing to increase dollars
allocated for health care expenses carries “opportunity costs” for
the nation and society, discuss your position on the following: As a national
policy should we allocate a set level of resources and apply them to achieving
“the greatest good for the greatest number” (necessarily leaving some
out) OR should we adopt the individualist approach of “those who can pay
get, those who can’t, don’t”?

3.Medicaid is shouldering an ever-increasing burden of cost for
long-term care for the elderly, with enormous impacts on state budgets
throughout the nation. Discuss alternatives to ease this drain on Medicaid
resources