Tough Decisions

There is a medical report out today in a publication that probably NEVER gets attention, but because of the contoversial nature of the report, it is getting much press. It is a periodical written by and for doctors of the chest (I supposed that covers all functions, organs, and indications of the chest area in general). They have developed a list of those for whom medical treatment should and should not be provided in the case of a pandemic.

I suppose that some sort of rationing may be necessary in the most extreme cases of a very widespread (global) situation...say, a nuclear war or such. I certainly would not add regional situations or catastrophes to that list (ie: Hurricane Katrina). However, I fear that this will become an excuse for decision-based neglect of the aged and infirmed.

There is much, much room to go wrong here.