Two health care analysts argue that in the United States, "we have arrived at a moment where we are making little headway in defeating various kinds of diseases. Instead, our main achievements today consist of devising ways to marginally extend the lives of the very sick."

a. Should "marginally extend[ing] the lives of the very sick" be an important goal of a health care system? What other goals should have a higher priority? (Note: This question is basically a normative one without a definitive correct or incorrect answer. You are being asked to consider what the goals of a health care system should be.)

b. Would it be possible to measure how successful the health care systems of different countries are in extending the lives of the very sick? If so, how might it be done? Source: David Brooks, "Death and Budgets," New York Times, July 14, 2011.