Question

Do you believe health care practitioners have an ethical obligation to hold down or reduce the fees they charge, considering the millions of people in the United States who are underinsured or uninsured? Why or why not?

Answer 1

According to early codes of American Medical Association (AMA), acting like a businessman was considered unethical, but even appearing like one was not acceptable. During this period, health care practitioners were very concerned about keeping them away from such quackery. The AMA in 1847 clearly stated that: "It is derogatory to the dignity of the profession, to resort to public advertisements or private cards or handbills, inviting the attention of individuals affected with particular diseases..."

By 1957 the principles were shortened to just prohibiting the practice of misleading the patients. While fee splitting is considered unethical. By now when there are millions of people in U.S whi are underinsured and uninsured, reducing the fee they charge is just another way to increase the competition in the market and is to be considered ethical as long as the practitioner binds himself to the basic ethics of not misleading the patient with false statements and also giving the best possible treatment.