Policy

This essay argues that DNR (do not resuscitate) status should not be considered as a factor in decisions to allocate scarce ventilators during a public health emergency. The authors note that some existing and proposed public health emergency resource allocation Read More

This article reports on revised state crisis standards of care (CSC) guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health that addresses allocations of scarce critical care resources. As discussed in an earlier post, some lawmakers and advocates raised objections to Read More

This expert commentary addresses two key ethical issues facing healthcare professionals providing frontline care during the COVID-19 pandemic: allocation of scarce lifesaving resources and whether to respond despite risks involved. Regarding allocation of scarce resources, the article emphasizes first the Read More

This article reports on the absence of a state plan for allocating scarce resources during a public health emergency in Florida and the implications of a patchwork of approaches should rationing be necessary in response to COVID-19 case surge. According Read More

This article reports on a surge in demand and scarcity of supply for dialysis machines in New York hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients.   Most scarce resource allocation concerns regarding COVID-19 to date have focused on ventilators due to the Read More

This forthcoming article comprehensively reviews existing state crisis standards of care (CSC) guidelines based on guidance from the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report and 2014 CHEST consensus statement. The authors conclude that 5 state plans include all 5 key Read More

In a memorandum published Sunday, April 19, 2020, HHS indicated it will be implementing new requirements “very soon” that nursing homes report resident and staff COVID-19 cases and similar disease incidents to residents, their family representatives, and to the CDC. Read More

This blog from the Petrie-Flom Center’s Bill of Health argues that many state guidelines for the rationing of scarce resources during a public health emergency disadvantage and devalue the lives of persons with disabilities. Most scarce resource allocation guidelines prioritize Read More

This press release summarizes findings from a report generated by a team of economists that advances a reserve system approach to incorporating competing ethical principles for rationing scarce resources in response to a public health emergency. Most resource allocation guidelines Read More

This press release describes the economy reopening framework agreed upon by the bipartisan group of governors from Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The governors indicate that the economy will not open all at once. Furthermore, they also Read More