Markets in Health Care: The Case of Renal Transplantation

Abstract

This article explores the ethics and economics of a market in donated kidneys in the United States. With the impending changes in the health care system, the author argues that a full turn to the market for distribution of kidneys is not appropriate. However, he would sanction a regulated market, as outlined in the article.

Saving Lives Is More Important Than Abstract Moral Concerns: Financial Incentives Should Be Used to Increase Organ Donation

“…Ignoring the financing, the proponents of an organ market reject a free market (on grounds of its potential to be exploitative) and focus instead on a regulated market, and then often a regulated market restricted to United States citizen vendors [23, 42–44]. It is not clear if those who promote this believe they are protecting recipients or vendors.…”