Cambridge Bioethics and Law: Series Number 41: Solidarity and Justice in Health and Social Care

In this timely book, Ruud ter Meulen argues that the current trend towards individual financial responsibility for health and social care should not be at the expense of the welfare of vulnerable and dependent individuals. Written with a multidisciplinary perspective, the book presents a new view of solidarity as a distinct concept from justice with respect to health and social care. It explains the importance of collective responsibility and takes the debate on access to healthcare beyond the usual framework of justice and rights. Academics from a range of backgrounds, including sociology, ethics, philosophy and policy studies will find new perspectives on solidarity and fresh ideas from other disciplines. Policymakers will better appreciate the contribution of family carers to the well-being of dependent and vulnerable people, and the importance of the support of solidarity in these types of care.

Preface; 1. Solidarity: backgrounds, concerns and claims; 2. The origins of solidarity as a sociological concept; 3. Solidarity and justice; 4. Solidarity and individual responsibility in Dutch health care; 5. Family solidarity and informal care; 6. Why we need solidarity.