» Rationierung im Gesundheitswesen«

Abstract

Several authors have recently argued for a broader debate about rationing of health care. Because the term »rationing of health care« is used in different ways and because not all definitions presented in literature seem to be equally acceptable a primary task for the debate is to formulate an adequate concept of rationing. Making use of the method of conceptual explication this paper proposes a definition that tries to make the idea of rationing as a »limited allocation« of goods more precise. Having defined »health care rationing« by refering both to philosophical as well as economic considerations some alternative definitions are discussed.