Allocating Scarce Medical Resources: Equity and Justice Concerns

Crisis standards of care are guidelines that inform health care systems’ decisions around access to scarce medical resources. This includes access to medical beds, ventilators, medications, dialysis, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and other resources. The concept has received increased attention as the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged our health care systems.

These guidelines pose concerns about the equitable provision of care. Chief among these concerns is the potential impact on vulnerable populations, including disabled individuals, marginalized populations, and elders. The webinar will bring together experts working in medicine, law, and ethics for a discussion of the concerns around equity and justice for these standards.

Panelists

• Introduction: Carmel Shachar, Executive Director, The Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School
• Brendan Abel, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Counsel, Massachusetts Medical Society and Teaching Faculty, Harvard Medical School Center for Bioethics
• Erin DeMartino, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Biomedical Ethics Research Program, Mayo Clinic
• Alden Landry, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Physician, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Assistant Dean, Office for Diversity Inclusion and Community; and Partnership and Associate Director and Advisor for William B. Castle Society, Harvard Medical School
• Ari Ne’eman, Senior Research Associate, Harvard Law School Project on Disability and Visiting Scholar, Lurie Institute for Disability Policy

Moderator

Stephen P. Wood, Visiting Fellow, Petrie-Flom Center. Director of Advanced Practice Providers, St. Elizabeth Medical Center MICU

Sponsored by the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School.