ABSTRACT
For older Americans, the healthcare delivery system is financed by a complex structure that makes delivery and reimbursement not only perplexing, but intimidating and even infuriating. 1 The central ethical issues arising from the complexities of healthcare financing are today, and will be tomorrow, regardless of “new” healthcare initiatives, the extent to which quality of care can be assured and a level of cost efficiency maintained within the system itself. This issue or dilemma affects the degree of geriatric care and management that must be assumed by the afflicted individual, the concerned family, healthcare service providers, as well as the entire healthcare system.
