Do No Ham

The article “Overeaters, smokers and drinkers: the doctor won't see you now” in Maclean’s last month brings out some interesting issues, not whether some doctors are refusing to see patients with what are conceived to be unhealthy life choices, but to what we as citizens of this country are entitled. It is repeatedly stated, by interviewee as well as the authors, that the sense of entitlement of patients is what infuriate doctors. What they did not ask is whether we are entitled. If we are entitled, then the sense of entitlement is correct. If we are not entitled, there is good reason for the infuriation. The reason behind our medical system is the belief that all citizens are entitled to equal level of medical care. That is to say no matter you are fat or thin, rich or poor, you should receive the same care as the next person. It is not for the doctors, whatever level of frustration they feel, to turn patients away. We cannot put prerequisites on treatments because if that is the case then few traffic accident victims will be saved, for example, since most accidents are caused by drunk driving, negligent, speeding and ignoring traffic regulations. If we cannot treat smokers, whose sickness is the result of personal choice, then why is an attentive driver any different? Sure, the problem of obesity, smoking and drinking are serious and frustrating matters, but it should not be up to the doctors to make the decision of the availability of treatments. Even banning tobacco and rationing food and alcohol make better sense that that.