The utilitarian moral theory defines actions that produce favorable conditions, pleasure and eradicate pain. An action is said to be morally right if it produces happiness, enjoyment, and peace for other people. According to Holtz, “Utilitarianism is maximizing happiness for many people. Improving the health of individuals living within society will be in the best interest of all the people of a society.” Along with all other theories and ethical morals if implemented will provide healthcare to all people, Utilitarian emphasizes providing as much comfort & happy life as much possible by providing them good healthcare.
Ethics are those rules and guidelines that have been devised based on the viewpoints of various people. Whatever is thought of as right is a part of ethics. If someone performs an act that is unreasonable in society or is considered ‘wrong’ or against the norm, it is thought of as unethical. In the Utilitarian view, enough education and quality of service will be provided to patients that they will enjoy a normal healthy life. Education about disease and self-care will improve the quality of life and prevent the occurrence of diseases in patients. Quality of healthcare service will ensure proper care of patients in hospitals and improve their health to regain their lost health.
Ethical theories are many, but we will favor the utilitarian theory of ethics, as it relates to healthcare in the USA, and around the world. The utilitarian theory of ethics encompasses the general mannerisms involved in daily living. It encompasses those acts and deeds carried out by individuals, that would give them optimum happiness and satisfaction. Therefore, this theory is associated with the behavior of individuals that is executed to grant themselves high amounts of peace, and not getting involved in those acts that would not in any way benefit them, or those people involved in the act. Even the people affected by the act are supposed to achieve happiness, according to this theory, which contradicts the theory of egoism (West).
Healthcare is the provision of services to people, in which they can attain maximum health benefits and care. It is the way people gain healthcare from others and includes the way these services are rendered, which is why ethical theories are involved in undergoing the process. The utilitarian theory may be implemented in the provision of healthcare so that people may get the optimal amounts of health while achieving maximum happiness from the care being given to them.
In the United States of America, the trend of health insurance is seen in almost all institutions. As more people seek healthcare, the need for good quality healthcare provision and better services with passing time arises. People, whether insured or not, seek medical advice as they need to, and have many expectations from the medical centers they visit. Everyone is supposed to benefit from the healthcare services that are provided in the country, or even around the globe, and this may in a way be implemented for general social welfare. Good health is such a primary need of individuals, that it cannot in any way be neglected, or treated in a way in which patients are not benefited or satisfied with what they pay for. They need to attain peace after treatment and leave the medical institutes as happy and healthy individuals.
References
- Holtz, C. (2007) Global Health Care. Issues and Policies. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Web.
- Utilitarianism.
- West, H. Utilitarianism.