Is Health Care a Right or a Privilege in the US?

Question

Is health care only a privilege to those who can afford it? What about those who cannot afford health care? Should they not be able to take themselves or their sick child to the doctor? If you were in a position where you couldn't afford health care, wouldn't you want someone to help you? I'm not saying you should expect someone to help you, but if you did need help and it was there wouldn't that make you feel good about your country? If our government can give out $92 BILLION dollars in 2006 alone in Corporate Welfare, why can't we provide ALL Americans with health care? Where do you think that $92 billion came from? Tax payers pockets, that's where! If we can help the most fortunate in the US why can't we help the least fortunate?

Sway, so what you're saying is that those with money can have access to health care and be treated for whatever ails them. But if you're poor or middle class and can't afford to go to the doctor, well, you just have to die? Is this type of thinking indicative of all republicans?

Answer 1

Right now it's neither. I got Medi-Cal so that I wouldn't be denied medical care, but they still give me "barely care" and ignore me, move around my appointments, put me off, etc. so I'm essentially getting nothing unless it's an emergency while my chronic untreated (treatable) problems scar me for life. I have permanent problems because of medical neglect. It's even worse without Medi-Cal. The notion that the corrupt medical and insurance institutions and practitioners should be allowed to continue to control this is absurd. They've proven too greedy. At one time doctors donated their time. And Medi-Cal patients got seen. If something wasn't covered we got billed and fought it out in court or whatever like everyone else. Now they just deny us. 80% of the staff and other patients are foreign. I KNOW that's part of the problem, as is greed. It should be a right of citizenship paid for by taxes. And we wouldn't have to raise them. Just stop allowing loop holes and tax breaks. And end the war. The war costs multi billions and health care would only cost a fraction of that. Wouldn't you rather me be healthy and working than in a constant state of sick limbo?

Answer 2

This is an issue that I don't understand why Conservatives aren't behind it. Universal health care would be GREAT for businesses, who are currently saddled with the cost of health care for both their employees and their employees families. It would also free up people to start their own businesses, without having to worry about whether they can take their kid to the doctor. Entrepreneurs shouldn't have to be indentured to large corporations to provide medical coverage for their families.

Universal Health care is a good idea for everyone except the insurance industry. It opens up the Free Market to the public, and relieves Businesses of the burden they currently bear.

There's also no reason that private and public medicine couldn't operate side-by-side. If a patient is uncomfortable using a public hospital, they could pay out for a private one, but at least this way everyone would have some medical treatment available.

Answer 3

Well first 92 billion dollars, wouldn't even come close to providing health care to everyone.

That's only $306 dollars per person.

And define corporate welfare ?

The US Government pays the pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs, they normally wouldn't develop,

Like antibiotics, which have such a short useful life span, thats its just not cost effective for the drug companies to spend money to develop.

Health care is just like housing, food and clothing.

If you want it, then get a job, earn money and pay for it.

The government doesn't provide everyone with food, clothing and housing,

So what makes health care any different?

Answer 4

Because it is so expensive, I would say it's a privilege. But if you walk into an ER, they are obligated to stabilize you. So how do jillions of poor and/or illegal people get free care? Go to an ER and give a false name and address. Sneaky little creeps, aren't they? That's a big part of why many ERs are closing: they are money losers.

Answer 5

Everyone in the US has access to health care. Don't confuse that with health insurance. Not everyone has insurance; millions of people can afford it but choose not to buy it.
If you want to help someone pay their medical bills, you go right ahead, but don't try to use the government to take tax money from me and give it to someone else.
Health care is a service that users pay for, not a right or privilege.
You sound like a bleeding heart liberal to me.

Answer 6

Health-Care seems to be an oxy-moron.
Doctors make money from illness, not wellness.
#1 cause of death in USA is: going to the doctor.
#2 cause of death in USA is: going to the hospital

Pst: Doctors are licensed by law.
Law: is the ministration of death.
Doctor signs a death certifcate.

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Answer 7

To tell ya the truth, I don't think it's either.
You are paying for medical insurance if you have it, so how can it be a privilege?
You are paying people for the insurance who are happy to do business with you, because that is how they make their daily bread.
It is really a service.

Answer 8

to be trueful if Health Care is a Privilege not a right then.....whats the point if ur poor??

Answer 9

Doctors are required by law to assist anyone in a medical emergency whether they have insurance or not. So having someone attempt to save you in an emergency is a right, however, having good health insurance is a priviledge.

There are programs already in place to help the people who are truly in need. I have no problem with those programs.

Answer 10

Doctors are not required by law to assist in emergencies.....

I get very tired of hearing that.

We are driven by an ethical code to help those in need... there is a difference.

Health care is a consumer good. period.