Excellence through Ethics Essay Contest
Winning essay by Laura Ly of Shelton, CT
 

The winner takes it all. Or so it seems. In his book, 'The Cheating Culture', author David Callahan hypothesizes that the rampant cheating on insurance, education, and more eventuate from the 'winner-take-all' environment that we live in and the desire to level the playing field. According to a research study by Progressive Insurance in 2001, nearly one in 10 Americans would commit insurance fraud if they knew they could get away with it. And thus, if so many others are cheating, wouldn't we be at a disadvantage not to do so as well?

 

For Janet, the decision is a difficult one. Torn between the desire to obey her boss and the choice to not change the application, Janet is conflicted. While changing Roger's health care application would likely get him coverage, Janet should not for several reasons involving ethics and possible consequences.

 

As of 2005, the Census Bureau reported that there are over 46.4 million people in the US that do not have insurance. If Janet were to change the application, she would be giving an unfair advantage to an individual simply because he knows Mr. Smith personally. Also, the penalty for insurance fraud is immense. By changing the application, she would be jeopardizing her future, and the futures and integrity of Mr. Smith and his brokerage. She would also be putting Roger in danger for a crime he wouldn't be aware of. According to a 2001 report by the Government Accounting Office, seniors and other taxpayers pay up to $1 billion a year in inflated drug prices due to potential fraud and loopholes in Medicare. If Janet were to follow Mr. Smith's instructions, she would be contributing to this amount.
 

Janet should be ready to give Mr. Smith alternatives for helping Roger, who despite his condition undoubtedly deserves assistance. Janet should enlist the power of the media. By publicizing Roger's case, she would be putting a face to the problem of citizens without healthcare. Oftentimes, insurance companies may find it easier to reject a claim when all they see is an application. Janet should also take action to get her school and community involved in various fundraisers to help Roger. In doing so, she may even get large businesses to donate to the cause and may even ask Mr. Smith to contribute. Since his brokerage subsidizes children's emergency treatment, he would seem the type of person who would do so. Hopefully, her actions will prompt Mr. Smith to instill new ethical policies within his brokerage by offering mandatory workshops on business ethics. Mr. Smith would surely see her determination and morality and would be able to write her an excellent college recommendation.

Janet should not compromise her morals, ethics, and future by changing the application. She would be unfairly giving assistance to Roger, when so many others like him are denied it. Instead, she should take action to publicize his story and champion fundraisers to help him, bringing light to the issues that uninsured Americans must face.