Health_Care_Ethics_6e_Ch01 (1).pdf
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Resource: Ch. 1 of Health Care Ethics (6th ed.)
Mickey Mantle received a liver transplant in 1995. He was a Baseball Hall of Fame center fielder for the New York Yankees whose liver was failing because of cirrhosis and hepatitis. Although the waiting period for a liver transplant in the United States is about 130 days, it took only two days for the Baylor Medical Center’s transplant team to find an organ donor for the 63-year-old former baseball hero.
According to the director of the Southwest Organ Bank, Mantle was moved ahead of others on the list because of his deteriorating medical condition; however, there were mixed feelings about speeding up the process for a celebrity. Mantle was known for overcoming immense obstacles, and many argued that the medical system should provide exceptions for heroes. He was also a recovering alcoholic, which further complicated the ethical implications of the case. Because of Mantle’s medical problems, doctors estimated that he had only a 60 percent chance for a three-year survival; whereas, liver transplant patients typically have about a 78 percent chance for a three-year survival rate.
As in the case of the liver transplant for Mickey Mantle, should the system make exceptions for real heroes? Why or why not?
Write a 1000-word paper in which you analyze the Mickey Mantle case using the Seven-Step Decision Model.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The case of Mickey Mantle receiving a liver transplant in just two days raises ethical questions about whether the medical system should provide exceptions for celebrities or heroes. In this paper, we will use the Seven-Step Decision Model to analyze this case and determine whether such exceptions should be made.
Answer:
The Seven-Step Decision Model involves the following steps: (1) gather information, (2) identify stakeholders, (3) clarify values, (4) identify and evaluate alternatives, (5) identify the best alternative, (6) take action, and (7) reflect on the decision and its outcome.
1. Gather information: In this step, we gather all the relevant information about the case. Mickey Mantle was a baseball star who received a liver transplant in just two days, despite the waiting period for such a transplant being about 130 days in the United States. He was moved ahead of others on the list due to his deteriorating medical condition, and his history of alcoholism further complicated the ethical implications of the case.
2. Identify stakeholders: The stakeholders in this case are Mickey Mantle, his family, the medical professionals involved in the transplant, the Southwest Organ Bank, other potential liver transplant recipients, and society as a whole.
3. Clarify values: In this step, we identify the values that are relevant to this case. These include fairness, justice, compassion, and the utilitarian principle of maximizing overall benefit.
4. Identify and evaluate alternatives: The alternatives in this case include speeding up the waiting period for celebrities or heroes, treating all patients equally regardless of their status or fame, or implementing a more rigorous screening process to ensure that only the most deserving patients receive liver transplants.
5. Identify the best alternative: After evaluating the alternatives, we conclude that treating all patients equally, regardless of their fame or status, is the best alternative. This is because healthcare should be based on need, not on celebrity status or heroism. All patients should have an equal chance of receiving a liver transplant based on medical necessity, not on who they are or how famous they are.
6. Take action: Based on our analysis, we recommend that the medical system should not make exceptions for celebrities or heroes. Rather, patients should be prioritized based on medical need.
7. Reflect on the decision and its outcome: Finally, it is important to reflect on the decision and its outcome. In this case, the decision to prioritize patients based on medical need and not on fame or status is important for promoting fairness and justice in healthcare. By reflecting on this decision, we can continue to improve the medical system and ensure that all patients receive the care they need and deserve.
Conclusion:
Using the Seven-Step Decision Model, we have analyzed the case of Mickey Mantle receiving a liver transplant in just two days. Our analysis shows that making exceptions for celebrities or heroes is not ethical, and that all patients should be prioritized based on medical need. By following the Seven-Step Decision Model and considering the relevant information, stakeholders, values, and alternatives, we can make ethical decisions that promote fairness, justice, and compassion in healthcare.
