The Patient's Bill of Rights

Essay # 61685

Law
Medical and Health

An exploration of the different rights of patients in America and the legislation that has most affected these rights.

2,102 words () | 8 sources | MLA | 2005 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how the rights of the patient in the healthcare system today affect many professionals in the field and how these rights were created with the purpose of helping the patient have legal control over their bodies and how they are treated. Patients, doctors, nurses, social workers and healthcare providers compose the majority of people most affected by these rights. They must not only learn them but also how to apply them. This paper explores these groups of people and their perspective on patient's rights.

From the Paper:

"Besides protecting the patient against malpractice, rights also lay the groundwork for choosing healthcare that best fits the patient. These rights are much more limited because of financial considerations than they should be. Many patients in America are limited to their choice of healthcare because of financial restraints. This is where the government plays a role and must step in to look in the best interest of its citizens. However, legislation is slow to catch up to the needs of the citizens due to numerous reasons. As Shapiro writes, "Everyone has a different idea of what should change and who should pay for it" (15). Passing legislation is a slow process that can often run into the problem of political parties butting heads and people who are determined that they know what is the best for patients and are unwilling to accept any legislation that does not fully encompass what they believe to be best."