The following ethical dilemma discussion is from Chapter Three of the accompanying text. The questions immediately following each ethical dilemma are guided questions for you to consider as you frame your thinking. Seek to develop your own positions where neither the law nor public opinion has reached an ethical consensus that conforms to accepted values. For every question, there are two or more valid positions that are consistent with universal values and principles.

1. Should everyone who pays into insurance risk pools be forced to pay higher health insurance premiums to cover the costs of the uninsured when they become seriously ill? Is this situation fair, especially when the higher premiums lead to the insured becoming underinsured?
2. What values are making the legislation mandating universal health coverage controversial in the United States?
3. Is the value of providing universal health coverage great enough to incur the cost of care to the uninsured? Or, are the uninsured of less value to society than the insured?
4. What are society's obligations, if any, if someone decides not to purchase health insurance, but then falls seriously ill or is involved in a catastrophic accident? What are the obligations if their uninsured child needs care, if any?