Philosophy Now Forum

At their interviews for medical school people tell the interviewer, "I want to help people." The truth is that most applicants like the life sciences and want to make a lot of money somehow in that field. So now after many pain staking years of hard work and giving up a lit to get there they've become doctors. Here is the problem. They now have the skill set to save lives, or even, to sound less dramatic, relieve suffering? What should they do when someone shows up to their office without insurance and no money to pay for services? Should the doctor take care of them for free. What is his or her obligation? If services are give for free it is not fair to the physician or the person who does pay for it. On the other hand, with the knowledge to heal isn't there a moral obligation to help?

Most docs might be overrun by such poor souls, why the doc needs to refuse them treatment, there are hospitals that take care of poor people.

Such a patient could promise to pay later.
Or he could dig your garden or clean the garage. Or his relatives or friends could do it if the patient is too weak.

Some compensation should be arranged and a normal patient short of cash would be glad to cooperate.

It´s the same if someone starving shows up in a bakery and asks for a roll.