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Spring 2002
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Allocation
of Resources
Justice,
Mental Disability, and Public Policy
State representative Jeremy H has introduced a state bill that would
establish homes for the care and education of children with major
learning disabilities, such as severe retardation and autism. The bill
would provide one home for every 12 children presently institutionalized
in five state institutions for children with such disabilities. The
present annual cost of maintaining the five institutions is $100 millon.
Providing the new form of care for the present institutionalized
population of 8,000 is expected to cost about $130 millon annually.
Jeremy H argues that the currently institutionalized children lie in
antiquated buildings lacking basic human necessities and amenities. The
children frequently spend whole days in their cheerless rooms; many are
not even properly clothed. Supervised by an overworked, largely
untrained staff, they receive almost nothing in the way of education,
entertainment, or structured activities. Jeremy H argues that justice
requires removing these individuals from such subhuman conditions and
offering them an opportunity for a more “normal” life.
A physician, Dr. M, is opposed to the bill and testifies at a
legislative hearing. He argues that the money required to make the
change could be used more efficiently to provide health care for three
groups: normal children, women lacking access to gynecological an
prenatal services, and working adults whose employers do not provide
health insurance. He also argues that the occurrence of retardation and
other mental disabilities can be greatly reduced through prenatal
diagnosis.
Questions
Should
the proposed bill be enacted into law?
Do the mentally retarded have a
right to lead a life as “normal” as possible, given their
limitations?
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Course
Overview