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Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad *
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Nov 24, 2024
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Uploaded by BarristerNeutron9077
Case Studies in Justice and Healthcare
Name
Course
Institution
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Case Studies in Justice and Healthcare
A killer serving a death sentence, Horacio Alberto Reyes-Camarena, receives government-
funded dialysis. This raises questions about where the rights of the detainees to medical care
should be drawn. Even after committing a horrific crime, Reyes-Dialysis Camarena costs more
than $120,000 a year in Oregon. This pricey, life-saving care for a convicted felon makes one
think about the obligations of society, justice, and the right to healthcare when contrasted with
budget cuts that affect thousands of old, poor, sick, and disabled Oregonians.
The ethical quandary is highlighted by the stark difference between the money allotted for
Reyes-Camarena's support and the difficulties that other residents encounter in managing their
limited access to prescription drugs and medical treatment as a result of state budget constraints.
Hospitals in Oregon are considering closing dialysis facilities due to Medicaid funding
constraints. The prevalence of unequal access to healthcare is demonstrated by this case. The
main question is whether society has a moral duty to give death row convicts like Reyes-
Camarena access to medical care that prolongs their lives.
People will always have to grapple with the opposing principles of justice and compassion.
No matter how serious Reyes-Camarena's offense was, the fact that he is experiencing a real
medical emergency challenges the moral standards of our society. The convicted killer claims
that having an organ transplant paid for by the government would be a more economical and
desirable option than continuing dialysis. He wants to be the first inmate from Oregon to receive
one. This starts a conversation on the value of rehabilitation and atonement—even in prison.
It is difficult to answer the basic question of whether prisoners, especially those who are
facing death, have a right to medical treatment. The jail system is responsible for the well-being
of individuals who are incarcerated as a continuation of society. A large donation of cash to
someone who is on death row makes people think about justice, equity, and how healthcare
monies are distributed generally. The discussion then shifts to the state's financial responsibility
for providing prisoner healthcare. Reyes-Camarena promotes renal transplantation, citing
research to back up her claims that the procedure is less expensive in the long run than dialysis.
Does everyone have a natural right to receive medical care? That is the biggest societal
problem that comes up. The Reyes-Camarena case is an example of how ethics, justice, and
health care policy come together. The fact that prisoners need expensive medical care makes
matters worse in a country where access to healthcare is already problematic. The long organ
transplant waiting list is made worse by the restricted supply of organs. This raises questions
about justice and the worth of human life.
Finally, the narrative of Horacio Alberto Reyes-Camarena shows how difficult it can be to
make moral decisions about medical treatment while confined. Questions of justice, altruism,
and resource allocation arise from the significant difference between the amount of money spent
on a convicted killer's care and the costs of treating the general public. This case highlights the
importance of having meaningful conversations about the rights to healthcare that incarcerated
people have, the social obligations that go along with these rights, and the larger moral
conundrums that come up when managing treatment for people who could face serious legal
consequences for their actions.
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