In the era of discussing Healthcare Reform, we should consider patient rights and responsibilities in an attempt to define the problems and suggest fixes. I found a pretty good list at About.com (The Wise Patient's Guide to Rights and Responsibilities
By Trisha Torrey, About.com Updated: February 19, 2009. ) Trisha's lists are, I think, a good starting point for most discussions. Hre is the basic list:

" Consider these Patients' Rights
•The Right to Be Treated with Respect
•The Right to Make a Treatment Choice
•The Right to Refuse Treatment
•The Right to Obtain Your Medical Records
•The Right to Privacy of Your Medical Records
•The Right to Informed Consent
•The Right to Make Decisions About End-of-Life Care

The entitlement of patients' rights for Americans is accompanied by patients' responsibilities, too. In order to get the best care, and find our most successful medical outcomes, we must adhere to these responsibilities.

Consider these Patients' Responsibilities
•Maintaining Healthy Habits
•Being Respectful to Providers
•Being Honest With Providers
•Complying with Treatment Plans
•Preparing for Emergencies
•Reading Behind the Headlines
•Making Decisions Responsibly
•Understanding Prescription Drugs and Their Possible Effects
•Meeting Financial Obligations
•Reporting Fraud and Wrongdoing
•Avoiding Putting Others at Risk"

I recommend thinking about each of these points. Discuss them with the people around you. Both lists are critical in order to consider various fixes to hour system.