How much is an old person worth?

I am a bit disturbed by the opinions being expressed upon the good news that former VP Dick Cheney has a new heart. Instead of rejoicing with him, it seems that people are questioning whether someone "more worthy" should have been given the heart.

First, most of those in the medical profession agree that it does not seem that Mr. Cheney received any special treatment. He waited almost two years for the heart -- longer than most of those awaiting a transplant. Second, there is again agreement that he had to have had healthy liver and kidneys before he would be considered -- standard procedure in evaluating transplant candidates.

The sticking point with these people seems to be his age. Mr. Cheney is 71. Dr. Eric Topol says that the issue is not that he had a transplant, but who didn't get one because he did. I suppose that question could be asked of every transplant. If we look hard enough, we could probably find a candidate "more worthy" in our eyes or someone else's eyes every time a donor heart is available.

Art Caplan is a University of Pennsylvania bioethicist. He says, that "the system should pay more attention to age because you'll get a better return on the gift." Old Art thinks those old folks just aren't worth the trouble. We'll see if he changes his mind when he's 68 and needs a liver or heart transplant.

By the way, why do I get the feeling that Art may have helped craft Obamacare?

"Cheney's transplant renews debate." The Dallas Morning News; March 26, 2012; p. 7A.