[Falling by the wayside? On priorities in the allocation of health-care resources.]

This essay serves a twofold purpose. The first is to offer a brief overview of recent discussions of what constitutes a just model of rationing in health care, i.e. how the problem of scarce health resources is to be correctly analysed and solved. Moreover, the relevance of general philosophical theories of justice to this specific problem is given some consideration. A whole gamut of already-suggested models is examined, with special emphasis on the weaknesses of each particular proposal. The second goal of the essay is to evoke serious doubts about the viability of some of the most prominent and popular models of just rationing; the main target being the ageism inherent in them. Another model is suggested and defended: a utilitarian one, which puts the whole issue of resource allocation in a wider perspective, taking into account, inter alia, the extent to which patients deserve the service they require.