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![Our Ethics Dispatch social media graphic showing glasses a reading tablet and a print newspaper.]()
Ethics Dispatch July 2025
The July Ethics Dispatch is on Why Rural Healthcare Fails Without Medicaid: An Ethical Analysis. With Medicaid cuts looming, we discuss the principles of bioethics to the cuts’ impact on rural healthcare. And we explore the philosophical concept of “ought implies can,” which holds that for someone to have a moral obligation, that person must have the ability to accomplish said obligation. Which begs the question: When do we have a moral obligation to provide Medicaid coverage?
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![Distributive Justice demonstrated with two plastic fish in glasses of water. One fish has plenty of water, the other does not.]()
Case Study – Distributive Justice: A Challenge for Clinical Ethics
Bioethics case study on distributive justice in VIDEO and PRINT. This case study in clinical ethics challenges several concepts within the idea of justice. Should this patient receive an equal share? Or receive according to his need? How do we ensure we treat this patient fairly?
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![A bed and night stand.]()
Case Study: When is it ethical to override a patient’s medical wishes?
Bioethics case study on Mr. Schumann, who signed an advance directive seven years ago indicating that he would not want life-sustaining treatment if he were unconscious with no hope of recovery. The family acknowledges the directive but insists that, if he could speak today, he would want everything done – for their sake.
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![A priest giving mass.]()
Case Study: Autonomy and Moral Distress Father Trent Chooses to Reject a Kidney
Bioethics case study on Fr. Trent’s request presenting a complex ethical dilemma involving organ allocation policy, personal autonomy, and the role of altruism in life-saving medical decisions.
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![The McKenzie River in Oregon.]()
Case Study: Obligation to Report Self-Harm
Bioethics case study on Ms. Taylor disclosing her intention to pursue physician-assisted death (PAD), also known as medical aid in dying (MAID). Although she currently resides in a state where MAID is illegal, she retains legal residency in Portland, Oregon – where the practice is permitted – and has already obtained the necessary medication.
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![Picture of an older woman in portrait.]()
Case Study – Immigrant Caregiver Mother Fears Visit to Hospital
Bioethics case study in which Eve’s mother, Gloria, is her primary caregiver and sole means of transportation to medical appointments. An immigrant from a foreign country, Gloria has been hesitant to accompany her daughter to the hospital. Fearing potential issues with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Gloria is afraid to visit the hospital, which in turn prevents her from driving Eve to her chemotherapy appointments.
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![A heart plastic model for learning the parts of the heart.]()
Case Study – Should a Dying Patient Receive Pain Medications or Donate Organs?
Bioethics case study on a dying patient receiving pain medication OR donate organs in VIDEO and PRINT. Should we allow the patient to have a peaceful passing, but not allow them to donate organs which the patient had expressly stated they wanted to do?
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![A blank directional sign pointing in opposite directions.]()
Case Study – Moral Authority: Is the Feeding Tube Necessary?
Bioethics case study on moral authority and healthcare ethics in VIDEO and PRINT. Even though he knew she wouldn’t have wanted the tube, he was afraid she might be suffering from hunger as she was dying.
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![Gavel and law books.]()
Case Study – The Law or Ethics: Which Should Take Priority?
Bioethics case study on law and ethics in VIDEO and PRINT. What is legally supported isn’t always ethically supported. So what do you do when these two ideas conflict? Do you prioritize what you believe is right for the patient, or do you follow what the law allows?
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![Our Ethics Dispatch social media graphic showing glasses a reading tablet and a print newspaper.]()
Ethics Dispatch March 2025
This month’s Ethics Dispatch offers five guidelines to help healthcare providers understand ICE’s legal boundaries, a case study involving an immigrant mother of a young cancer patient, and ethical musings about fear of the “other” and its impact on society.
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