Age Rationing and the Just Distribution of Health Care: Is There a Duty to Die?*

In the fifth century b.c., Euripides addressed "those who patiently endure long illnesses" as follows: I hate the men who would prolong their lives By foods and drinks and charms of magic art Perverting nature's course to keep off death They ought, when they no longer serve the land To quit this life, and clear the way for youth. ¹