Health executives have a code of ethics and policy statements which guide their behavior.  Examine one of the policy statements provided by ACHE.org and comment on how this code may differ in nature than the health care provider codes. Be specific. Do you see any ethical issues emerging out of health care reform yet are not consider in the ACHE documents? Peers are expected to demonstrate critical thinking in their questions related to the classmates’ descriptions. See for rules on discussions. Assigned reading materials:

Health executives play a critical role in managing and making decisions in the healthcare industry. To guide their behavior, health executives adhere to a code of ethics and policy statements. One such code of ethics is provided by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). In this response, I will examine an ACHE policy statement and discuss how it may differ in nature from the codes followed by healthcare providers. I will also consider any ethical issues arising from healthcare reform that may not be explicitly addressed in the ACHE documents.

ACHE’s code of ethics includes several policy statements that outline the principles and values that health executives should uphold in their professional practice. For the purpose of this discussion, I will focus on the policy statement titled “Patients’ Welfare and Social Accountability.” This policy statement emphasizes the commitment of health executives to put patients’ welfare at the center of decision-making processes and to be socially accountable for their actions.

One significant aspect of the ACHE policy statement is the emphasis on patient welfare. This aligns with the primary objective of healthcare providers, who aim to ensure the health and well-being of their patients. However, the role of health executives differs from that of healthcare providers. While healthcare providers directly deliver patient care, health executives are responsible for managing and overseeing healthcare organizations. Therefore, the ACHE policy statement focuses on how executives can contribute to patient welfare through organizational management practices rather than direct patient care.

The policy statement also highlights the importance of social accountability for health executives. It emphasizes their responsibility to make decisions that consider the interests and needs of various stakeholders, including patients, employees, communities, and society as a whole. This broader focus on societal impact distinguishes the ACHE policy from the codes followed by healthcare providers, which primarily address the relationship between providers and their patients.

Healthcare providers’ codes of ethics primarily emphasize the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice in the context of individual patient care. In contrast, the ACHE policy statement acknowledges the interdependence between healthcare organizations and the larger socio-cultural and economic context. Health executives must consider and balance the interests of multiple stakeholders to ensure sustainable and socially accountable healthcare delivery.

Now, let’s consider whether there are any ethical issues emerging from healthcare reform that may not be explicitly addressed in the ACHE code. Healthcare reform initiatives, such as changes to reimbursement models or policies aimed at improving access to care, can have significant ethical implications. For instance, the transition from fee-for-service reimbursement to value-based payment models may incentivize certain behaviors or prioritize specific patient populations over others.

While the ACHE code broadly covers the principles and values that guide health executives’ actions, it may not provide explicit guidance on how to navigate these complex ethical dilemmas arising from healthcare reform. For example, there may be ethical questions surrounding resource allocation, the rationing of care, or potential conflicts of interest arising from relationships between healthcare organizations and policymakers.

Furthermore, healthcare reform often involves considerations of justice and equity, such as ensuring fair access to healthcare resources. The ACHE code touches on the importance of social accountability, which can encompass these concerns. However, the code may not delve into the specific challenges and ethical considerations related to achieving justice and equity in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

In conclusion, health executives adhere to a code of ethics and policy statements to guide their behavior. The ACHE code, exemplified by the policy statement on patients’ welfare and social accountability, differs in nature from the codes followed by healthcare providers. It emphasizes the role of health executives in managing healthcare organizations and their responsibility to consider the interests of multiple stakeholders. However, while the ACHE code addresses broad ethical principles, it may not explicitly address the ethical issues emerging from healthcare reform, such as resource allocation, justice, and equity concerns. Further exploration and discussion of these ethical challenges are necessary for health executives to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape and promote ethical decision-making.