In scenario one, you agree with me that the economics rule the day.
In scenario two, you agree with me that the economics rule the day.
Then, you follow up by postulating that morality MUST enter the equation. Too late, my friend. You've already purchased the critter in question - now you must live with it.
I am NOT saying that all people should receive the care they want. Not at all. I am saying that if the state decides, ALL decisions, ultimately, will be economic decisions and to hell with humanity.
You argue that the family unit should make decisions. Too bad, friend. The family will be the last to be consulted. The state will make it's choice base on the the economic value of the patient at hand.
A case in point...
My sister-in-law is British. Her father retired from the Clark shoe factory about a decade ago. He began experiencing chest pains and in 1997 he had a doozy just before Thanksgiving (our holiday). He goes into the hospital. They send him home with a handfull of anti-biotics assuming that he has some sort of thoracic infection. Even though they knew his mother and brother died of cardiac failure, they don't hook him up to an EKG.
He dies within 24 hours.
Point is, he dies in spite of blanket care. Fact is, health care under socialized medicine is palliative care for the 'ECONOMICALLY WORTHLESS' element (i.e., retired).
You say "Difficult value decisions must be made in this life and it is very important who makes those decisions."
I agree.
Where we disagree is at the point where the ability of the individual still has the right to make that decision. Looking at Europe, we see that right eroding. Looking at the mechanics of ethical rights, we also see the same kind of erosion.
As far as I am concerned, religion has NOTHING to do with the sanctity of life. Economics and distorted politics has everything to do with it. For these reasons, I continue to stand against this entire bloody mess.
Economics will, however, influence what options are available to whomever makes medical decisions.
I don't understand why you seem to believe that economics must be devoid of morality. Morality may have an influence on whatever we want and the more the better. The less moral an economic activity, the more likely it will ultimately fail.