What is the logic behind the idea that Healthcare is a basic human right?

Question

Starkiller - Since you live in the UK, you probably don't know the problems we have in the US with certain sectors of the population. I speak of those who believe they are entitled to everything and commit the most crimes. This is a major problem that most homogeneous countries do not have to deal with. Take these people out of the statistics and you'll find the US system is actually cheaper per capita and better than other countries. It's a fact.

Answer 1

It isn't. Even in pre-political society, one paid the healer for their services. If you didn't have something to barter, you weren't treated. Nothing in our social contract defines health care as a basic right. It is a right that was made up by the lazy and stupid who to get others to pay their freight.

Breaking news for the uneducated liberals who quote the preamble to the constitution as a basis. A preamble is an introduction. It does not establish any basis for law. None of the articles in the constitution identify health care as a basic human right. That is the stupidity of the liberal left and their mediocre public school education at work. Losers always need to rationalize why someone else should support their useless existence.

Edit: For the scrotal fungus who calls those against free health care "scumbags," why don't you pony up the extra money to pay for the health care of others? Personally, I don't give a crap about your health or how you pay to maintain it. If you check out tomorrow, it's no skin off of my butt. Lazy blood sucking socialist scum.

Answer 2

It is a right that people should expect from society. But a human right? We have just as much of a right to live without fear of crime, to live in a democracy, to have access to clean water and the like.

I live in the UK and work in the NHS (our universal health care system). It has problems, but not as many as the US healthcare system has. Despite spending much more per head of population than other developed countries, the US has worse health outcomes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care#Economics Life expectancy and infant mortality figures in the US are worse than in other developed countries, despite more money being spent (and wasted) in the USA.

In the UK there are waiting lists for routine problems. Problems that can not wait are treated as emergencies. Also, in the UK, people can also have private health care.

I can understand Americans being proud of living in the richest and most powerful country in the world. What I can not understand is why Amercians settle for an expensive healthcare system where babies die that would have a better chance of life if born in another developed country.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2167865,00.html

Answer 3

Oh give me a break. Can you really put health care of an infant (who is not at fault for its parents income or lack there of) in the same catigory as HBO, a yacht or those new boobs you are sporting? This question is absolutly rediculous. I can not believe that there are people who are against all people having equal opportunity to health care, ***** about the taxes hikes and in the very same breath support the rediculous war we are in. Where do you think the money to pay for this war will come from? So let me ask this a much more reasonable question. Why is it ok to tax the American people to pay for an absolutly criminal and irresponsible war that does nothing but line the pockets of oil companies, but not ok to tax the richest people in america to provide reasonable health care for our OWN citizens?

Answer 4

LIFE, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And, as RedPhish said, provide for the general welfare. To me, basic healthcare refers to ER work. When somebody comes into the ER, alone, bloody and unconscious, there is no way of knowing if their brain is rotten or if it's Albert Schwietzer and he's just figured out how to bring peace on earth, or will figure it out in twenty years. Somewhere there has to be a linedrawn, there are not enough transplants available or enough money to pay for them all. Anybody with a better idea on how to decide, I'm listening.

Answer 5

Health care is not a basic human right. However we as a nation spend 15% of our gross domestic product on health care and we do not by most measures have anywhere NEAR the best health care in the world. I believe strongly that we can do MUCH better for everyone and still bring the total health care bill down drastically.

Answer 6

I guess technically it isn't a "right" per the constitution but what sort of scumbags would object to maintaining the health of the general population to protect the health of the society as a whole? Not so much a human rights issue as a public health issue.

Answer 7

Other than the fact that no decent person would deny someone basic medical care, it states in both the Preamble and later on in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution that one of the duties of the government is to provide for the general welfare. I'[d say basic health care would fall under that responsibility. Would you seriously kick someone to the curb that needs health care but can't afford to pay for it?

Edit: liberal=idiot. Please read my entire answer, the phrase is repeated as a specific duty of congress as indicated.

Answer 8

Capitalism cannot survive without a socialist base economy.Without the socialist economy the capitalist economy can only be supported by conflict.And that is a Healthy socialist economy.All of these responses that blend hatred into opinion breed and support conflict.

Answer 9

#1 providing basic health care and improving the overall health of our nation

#2 reducing losses to health care providers incurred as a result of an increasing amount of middle class citizens who cannot afford to pay their medical bills. This in turn reduces the rate at which the rest of us experience increase in health care costs to recoup those losses.

#3 reduction in the rate in which those of us, who can pay our medical bills come in contact with infected individuals, thus reducing the amount of our own office visits.

#4 providing incentive for the poor to make regular office visits rather than having the tax payer foot the bill for higher cost of the ER for preventative care

#5 since arrogance of society created multi-antibiotic resistant pathogens.

#6 an increasing amount of the middle class is unable to pay their medical expenses yearly. As health care expenses rise as a result of people who can't pay their bills.

#7 47 million people, and increasing, without access to health care. Should an outbreak occur, it would make the European Black Death plague look like a tea party. If this isn't staring right in the eyes of a national security issue, nothing is.


take your pick!

Answer 10

The Liberal Socialist Politically Correct Logic is you get a "right" ; if they get your "vote" ; you get to sit around and do little or nothing for yourself , and the Liberal Socialist Politically Correct politicians will take care of all your needs !!!! Why do the Liberal Socialist concern themselves with a " right " , when they support the denial of " the right to life " . As Always Liberals have two meanings for the same word , and they choose which one makes them look less ignorant ....... You know ; just like slick willie said using this two definition liberal excuse , " it depends on what your definition of is is " ??