A physician in a busy inner-city environment has developed his practice over the years to the point where he no longer needs to solicit new patients. He does not want to expand his hours of work so he decides to limit his practice. He instructs his office staff to begin refusing to accept new patients.
Which of the following most appropriately describes his action?
a. It is both legal and ethical.
b. It is ethically acceptable, but illegal.
c. He is within his legal rights to refuse patients, but it is considered ethically unacceptable.
d. It is both illegal and unethical to refuse to accept new patients.
e. It is ethical as long as he arranges transfer of care to another physician.