Age Quote by Richard Lamm
“I believe for some high-technology medicine, like transplants and kidney dialysis, age should be a consideration in the delivery of that technology. In a world of limited resources, we have a larger duty to a 10-year-old than to a 90-year-old.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Health Policy Address, Richard Lamm, 1990
Prioritizing scarce medical resources should favor younger patients who have more potential years of life ahead.
In simple terms: Young patients get priority when resources are limited.
Key Takeaway
Allocate limited tech to those with longer future benefit.
Themes
ethics
resource allocation
ageism
healthcare policy
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
policy
ethical
When to use this quote
- organ transplant committees
- dialysis program planning
- insurance coverage decisions
- public health budgeting
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
distributive justice
triage
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance fairness with maximizing life years?
- What criteria should guide age‑based decisions?
A Different Perspective
May undervalue the lives and contributions of older adults.
