John Q
Business Ethics
John Q
December 2, 2012
Hannah Blumhardt
The movie, John Q, tells the story of a man who is put to the test to save his ten-year old son. John Q Archibald is the father of Michael, a young, athletic, seemingly healthy boy. During Michael’s baseball game one afternoon however, he suddenly collapses due to heart failure. After being rushed the Emergency Room the Archibald’s are informed of the worst. Dr. Raymond Turner approaches John and his wife, Denise, with the news that Michael’s only chance to live is if he receives a heart transplant. Unfortunately, the Archibald’s insurance would not cover the procedure; nor would their incomes. A short while later the family is hit with more devastating news that Michael would be released from the hospital without care due to unpaid medical bills. John does all he can do to save his son as he holds everyone in the hospital hostage until his son is placed on the list. He is in a race against time as Michael’s conditions to worsen.
The ethical issues presented in this movie spider webbed from the topic of health care. The topics discussed relating to the textbook include: the morality of human acts, human rights, certain and true conscience, the right to petition, and man’s rights and duties towards himself. While John’s attempt to take others’ lives was unethical, he did so to save the life of someone he deeply loved. As a factory worker, John’s benefits did not include insurance that was sufficient enough to pay for the surgery. However, when the hospital was made aware of this, they should have made the ethical decision to prioritize a child’s life above money. When the hospital found out the Archibald’s would not be able to afford the procedure, they refused them care. When Michael was refused care, the family began to panic as they already struggled financially.
At this point John had the right to express the pain he was experiencing due to his helpless, dying son. He, in turn,
John Q
December 2, 2012
Hannah Blumhardt
The movie, John Q, tells the story of a man who is put to the test to save his ten-year old son. John Q Archibald is the father of Michael, a young, athletic, seemingly healthy boy. During Michael’s baseball game one afternoon however, he suddenly collapses due to heart failure. After being rushed the Emergency Room the Archibald’s are informed of the worst. Dr. Raymond Turner approaches John and his wife, Denise, with the news that Michael’s only chance to live is if he receives a heart transplant. Unfortunately, the Archibald’s insurance would not cover the procedure; nor would their incomes. A short while later the family is hit with more devastating news that Michael would be released from the hospital without care due to unpaid medical bills. John does all he can do to save his son as he holds everyone in the hospital hostage until his son is placed on the list. He is in a race against time as Michael’s conditions to worsen.
The ethical issues presented in this movie spider webbed from the topic of health care. The topics discussed relating to the textbook include: the morality of human acts, human rights, certain and true conscience, the right to petition, and man’s rights and duties towards himself. While John’s attempt to take others’ lives was unethical, he did so to save the life of someone he deeply loved. As a factory worker, John’s benefits did not include insurance that was sufficient enough to pay for the surgery. However, when the hospital was made aware of this, they should have made the ethical decision to prioritize a child’s life above money. When the hospital found out the Archibald’s would not be able to afford the procedure, they refused them care. When Michael was refused care, the family began to panic as they already struggled financially.
At this point John had the right to express the pain he was experiencing due to his helpless, dying son. He, in turn,