Policy makers, politicians, and editorialists seem so desperate for solutions to the problems of health care in America that they are now willing to consider, and are even hailing, proposals that ought to cause shame and disgust. How else can one explain the serious and respectful attention given in the past year to Oregon's proposed system for rationing medical care for the poor? Despite obvious and overwhelming flaws, Oregon's policy -- still in need of congressional approval -- has received widespread praise from leading members of Congress, health policy experts, and newspapers such as The New York Times.