- NEW!
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on November 22nd, 2009
Have you ever read the Declaration if Independence?
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." - Second sentence
How about the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights; "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control." (Article 25, section 1)?
Then again between our treatment of Native Americans early in our history, African-Americans until the 1960s, Japanese-Americans during WWII, Guantanamo Bay, and many other examples, I think it fair to say that the United States doesn't give a damn about human rights.
Whatever the rest of the world does is absolutely wrong. We *must* be different, and if that means that we are the only industrialized world who lacks health care and embraces oligarchies and elitism to an extent that would make Kim Jong-il seem benign then so be it.
Therefore, the only rights any of us have are the ones we can buy. IF you are rich, you can get away with murder. If you are poor, you will be arrested, billed for your jail cell, and then prosecuted again for inability to pay. But we are America so that must be the way tings are supposed to be because we are always right!
by Moongrim on November 23rd, 2009
In as much as a fetus has a "right" to live.
by Freedom00 on November 22nd, 2009
In all other industrialized countries it is a right. It is not yet a right in the United States.
Very few people who already have good insurance care about those that don't.
Good question. +5
by SIR_Anony is now SIR_Anthony on November 22nd, 2009
It isn't and shouldn't be. It should be a luxury to those that buy insurance and are willing to use most of their paychecks to get it. My wife does this. She works for just the insurance and I support her by feeding and housing her.
by HungryGuy on May 23rd, 2010
Technically, nothing is a right. But a republic can, through law, grant the citizenry certain legal rights (freedom of speech, and of religion), entitlements (use of public roadways, libraries, etc.), and obligations (obey the laws, pay taxes, etc.) within the borders of that country. Health care is a newly enacted entitlement in the USA that citizens of nearly every other civilized country in the world enjoy.
by RC loves ice cream on November 22nd, 2009
How is anything a right? Is it a right to get an education? It's certainly an advantage to society as a whole for all children - irrespective of their family's financial situation - to get the education that would enable them to contribute to the best of their abilities to maintain said society. The same applies to health care. Businesses often buy medical insurance for their staff and their families because it is to the businesses' own advantage for their workers and their families to be able to get health care when they need it. A country can see things the same way - it is beneficial to the country that when someone needs a doctor or a hospital they get it.
by Stranger in a Strange Land on November 22nd, 2009
Right now in the US it is not. Every other industrialized liberal democracy does. We've been behind the curve on this issue for over 50 years. Private enterprise has demonstrated an inability to deliver this, so it falls to the state to do it. At least that's my left/libertarian view. +4
by Symbeline on November 23rd, 2009
It isn't unless you can pay for it. In the States anyways. Canada has free health care, but that's actually pretty laughable. Most people who work still can barely afford fuck all unless they throw half their paychecks into work insurance, and even then they'll be broke for weeks after, and Welfare barely covers anything.
At least it has the decency to prioritize small children though. That's more than admirable, but if you're in your 20's and have a cavity, might as well do it the hardcore way and bring out the pliers.
I really don't see how it's a right, especially not in the States, but I suppose that can be interpreted in different ways. Guess it depends what political fence side you belong to.
by Mr. Black on May 23rd, 2010
If you need an explanation you are lost.
by AB is an asylum run by the inmates, ciao! on May 23rd, 2010
Health care would be a right if the United States was a truly civilized nation. All of the industrialized nations of the earth take care of their people except the United States.
The reason - Lawyers, Insurance companies, and greedy Politicians.
The solution - A single payer national health care system. Hopefully, one day, the US will be a 'group' for health care purposes, then everybody will have care. It will be cheaper because everybody will be able to receive preventative medical treatments and advice instead of waiting until an emergency and costing over 10 times as much to treat.
by Brian I on May 23rd, 2010
In the USA it isn't. Consequently a small proportion of the population becomes bankrupt each year because of medical bills and another small minority die of conditions that could have been cured if they had been able to afford adequate insurance.
In most other advanced countries it is a right because majority decisions of successive democratically elected governments, of various political hues and over many years, have stated that to be the case.
by Randoley on November 23rd, 2009
Freedom of speech is a right because no one should control what I say. Freedom of religion is a right because no one should control who what or how I worship or if I worship at all. The right to bare arems is a right because no should say I can't defend myself. Now please tell me in those terms why Health care is a right. I'm not looking for, "Because other countries say it is" or "Because the insurance companies or greedy"
Just Healthcare is a right because......
What is the number of nurse practitioners that a physician can supervise?
by Answerbag Staff on August 13th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
Does Texas have its own peer review organization?
by Answerbag Staff on August 1st, 2010
| 1 person likes this
Who regulates medical software such as EMR& EHR?
by Answerbag Staff on July 26th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
what does it mean when your breast biopsy shows abnormality?
by cmccra on November 14th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
Do you think social media can assists in healthcare facility planning? If so, can someone please explain why or why not?
by cloud1012005 on November 30th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
You're reading Will someone please explain to me how health care is a right?
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!
Comments
Superb answer Jerv. Better than mine. +5
by Stranger in a Strange Land on November 22nd, 2009
We aren't governed by the United Nations, and the United Nations is headed by the worst dictators and violators of human rights on the planet.
.
Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, right to bare arms, those are rights. How is health care a right?
by Randoley on November 22nd, 2009
Who is going to be paying for these UN rights to all this wonderful stuff?
by Baggins on November 22nd, 2009
Randoley - Considering that the US pretty much bullies them around and is *effectively* in charge of the UN, I am going to agree with you :)
Baggins - Medical care doesn't cost much. Malpractice insurance does though. So does paying the administrative fees incurred by filing paperwork, and let us not forget that the insurance companies need to make a profit.
I mean, how much does Penicillin *really* cost? I'll give you a hint; it's cheaper everywhere outside of the US. And the private insurance companies in Germany seem to be doing fairly well despite the presence of government healthcare, though their executives don't earn $25-40 million/year.
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on November 22nd, 2009
I'm still waiting for somebody to tell me it is a right to have health care.
by Randoley on November 22nd, 2009
Well, that's your opinion and you're entitled to it, Jerv. I'm not going to change your mind about my question to you and you're certainly not going to change my mind. Let me tell you something about the UN.......they ARE a bunch of two-bit thuggish dictators and ARE the most blatant violators of human rights on the planet, like Randoley said. The UN is the antithesis of what the US actually offers the world. Freedom. The UN doesn't offer the world freedom. It only offers broken promises and misery. To me, they're a disgusting thing that causes desolation. I would not hold up ANY so-called "right" of the UN over our system of government. The US government's job is to protect the rights of it's people and protect it's boundaries. NOT to provide healthcare.
by Baggins on November 22nd, 2009
As I said, since we pretty much bully them around half the time and render them irrelevant the rest of the time, you could say that the US runs the UN anyways. No WONDER they are marginally effective and violate human rights all over the place!
&nsbp;
Are the other nations of the industrialized world similarly loathsome? How about the writers of the Declaration of Independence? Would you wipe your ass with the Magna Carte and spit on John Locke's grave while you are at it?
FYI - The Magna Carta and Locke's works were *major* inspirations for the US Constitution... another document that means little to most Americans, especially the uber-patriotic ones who calim that our nation is the greatest and yet they have no idea what the Constitution actually says.
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on November 22nd, 2009
Why do you hate your own country so much? You sound like a college professor.
by Randoley on November 22nd, 2009
Disillusionment.
Ever since my youth, I have always admired and respected the ideals put forth by our forefathers.
However, I have seen MANY selfish people stray from those ideals, twist shit to their own ends, and otherwise piss all over our forefather's graves, the ideals they founded this country upon, and basically turn our nation into a corrupt Oligarchy, a total perversion of their intent.
&nsbp;
I find it funny that you say I sound like a college professor. It seems that the people who are teh happiest with the current sate of affairs are largely uneducated (or oblivious) people who are taken in by the bread-and-circuses of our society while many of those that are educated learn to see past the smoke and mirrors and grow to resent the US.
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on November 22nd, 2009
Have you ever heard the phrase, "If you're not angry, you aren't paying attention"?
Well, I AM paying attention, and I am not easily swayed by the opinions of people who eat three Big Macs a day and can't figure out why they are fat, who boo Toyota at NASCAR events for being un-American despite the fact that Toyotas are built in the US and Fords are from Canada, and any other people who just can't seem to be bothered with facts, reality, logic, critical thinking, or anything resembling even an approximation of intelligence.
We used to be a great nation. Rich. Powerful. Respected. Honorable. And now look at us; a bankrupt laughingstock. We are a punchline and a rather hypocritical one at that.
We blast China for human rights yet our own record is pretty damn tarnished, especially in the last few years. We claim to embrace freedom, but we also support censorship and oppose gay rights to the point where discrimination against homosexuals is legal in many places.
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on November 22nd, 2009
We claim to be the land of opportunity, but the only way to make a million dollars any more is to invest your trust fund wisely; ingenuity and hard work are not enough any more.
And then there is the growing attitude that the poor CHOOSE to be poor and the unemployed are all lazy. Jobs grow on trees and they all pay well. If they don't pay enough to live on then get two; there are PLENTY of jobs to go around!
If you aren't making at least $50k/year then you are defective and unfit to live. Go to school and learn the skills it takes to earn enough money to go to school to...
This country is a farce. A twisted parody of itself and it's former greatness. And it pisses me off.
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on November 22nd, 2009
It makes me mad too, but not for all of the same reasons. I think people should pull their own weight and I believe America still is the number one in human rights and generosity around the world.
by Randoley on November 22nd, 2009
If we are number one in human rights then I'm scared!
As for pulling our own weight, there are MANY millions of people who want to but some bean counters thought it would be more economical to ship jobs overseas, others downsized due to the economy, and all sorts of other stuff has happened in the last few months.
Pulling out own weight? Given a chance, many would! I am all for letting those that are able but unwilling to work fall into the gutter.
But what of the people who ARE both able and willing but there are no jobs for? If you say that people are unfit to survive merely because of luck then fuck this whole "hard work" thing in the ear with a spiked dildo! I've worked harder than any trust fund baby ever dreamed of but if he is entitled to get ahead merely because he happened to be born to the right parents then what incentive is there for me to do jack-shit?
Some people are against taxing the rich and/or government aid to the poor/unemployed under the argument that it would remove our incentive to work.
Well, seeing honest people get dicked by fate and lazy greedy scumbags get rich has pretty much removed my incentive too.
If we are going to be an unfair, hypocritical farce, then I am just going to sit back, enjoy the show, and laugh my ass off while occasionally heckling.
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on November 22nd, 2009
and theres people like me who work two jobs (neither offer health care options) to support my family, when i tried to claim my family as Dependants on my tax return a few years ago, i got reamed.
because our home isn't rented under my name i couldn't claim i was providing shelter, even though my elderly mother, who's name is on the rent receipt, has been unemployed for almost a decade and receives ZERO benefits and has ZERO sources of income. and when i tried to get proof i was paying 100% of the rent (as well as utilities and food) the management basically told me to screw off, it wasn't their problem.
I'm working 14 hours a day and still cant afford health care, your going to say i'm not pulling my weight, Randoley?
by zwatcher on November 22nd, 2009
I've been out of work for 3 years due to family sickness, but mow yard, trim trees, carry off brush. I pressure was houses. I do odd jobs to make ends meet. I don't see why other people can't do the same.
.
zwatcher, go make your wife work part time and go buy insurance.
.
jerv, I really don't want to talk to you any more if you are going to talk so nasty.
by Randoley on November 22nd, 2009
Randoley - I do odd jobs myself and I agree that people *should* do stuff like that. Of course, the way our current system is set up, it's impossible to do odd jobs AND get assistance. Not all programs allow for reduced benefits for those that are trying to make their own way; it's all or nothing.
Small businesses can't afford to pay a living wage and big ones generally restrict raises to the execs though. That means that for many the only way to REALLY get by is to suck off of the government teat.
There aren't enough jobs out there for people to get three of them, and the ones that are still here in this country either require a degree (thus making us practically an Oligarchy) or don't pay enough to live on ("You want fries with that?").
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on November 23rd, 2009
I should've known you were going to tell Z something to that effect. I don't think you've seen the cost of insurance OR the unemployment rate lately though. Either that or you think that ALL jobs pay at least $30k/yr, which is enough to afford insurance.... if your employer pays the other 80-90% of the premium.
Sorry, but I remember the issues my wife and I had when we earned $35-38/yr with TWO full-time jobs. We had one of the cheaper rents in the area, cars that were paid for, no credit card debt, lived frugally, sometimes to the point of not eating for a couple of days, and yet we couldn't afford our own insurance.
The reason I am talking so nasty is that you seem to be SSSSOOOO far away from reality in some respects that I have to wonder if you are even listening. You occasionally raise a good point but mostly spew uber-con rhetoric to the extent that I wonder if you are a person or a Perl script; you are THAT predictable!
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on November 23rd, 2009
Randoley, i would but she doesn't exists. it's just me, my 62 year old mum and my sister who is now in college (thanks to a scholarship).
my mum has had two knee operations and needs another go round cause the doctor f'ed up somehow and she's still in a lot of pain. but she was cut of Medicare and can't reapply for two years.
unfortunatly working 14/16 hours a day doesn't leave much time for social life. even when i'm off one place i'm on the other.
by zwatcher on November 23rd, 2009
what i'd like to know is why anyone would think Health care ISN'T a right?
by zwatcher on November 23rd, 2009
why are so many people afraid of health care for everyone?
by zwatcher on November 23rd, 2009
Because that means that other people will have to pay (taxes, higher insurance premiums...) and everybody should be 100% self-sufficient.
Some would go so far as to toss your mother out in the street because she didn't save up enough money to retire on back when she was younger.
My response to that is that they should do their part by ditching insurance entirely and paying any and all medical expenses of theirs out of their own pocket.
But we all know that the American way if to steal from teh poor and give to the rich.
C'est la vie.
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on November 23rd, 2009
so it's better our money is flushed down the military or nasa drain?
the irs has been taking me to the cleaners, about time i got something back.
as for ditching insurance entirely, obviously you haven't been to a doctor in the last hundred years.
an ambulance ride costs more then a color tv, if you stay the night, you will pay 5 star hotel suite price to share a cold room or curtained off area.
need to see a doctor? well there they are standing around the emergency room doing jack while orderlies and R/N's do the real work.
just drilling and filling a tooth costs more then a used car.
by zwatcher on November 24th, 2009
The reason I recommended that measure is so that the free market can work it's wonders. I mean, that is what the uber-cons want so let them have it!
What would wind up happening is that once the medical practitioners and pharmaceutical companies see their business drop dramatically because people can't afford their goods/services, there will be a push to lower prices and quit the price-gouging that occurs. That 30 cents worth of Tylenol will no longer cost $80!
In truth, I know that would not work, but it's the same sort of twisted idealistic "logic" that makes trickle-down economics seem like a good idea. It's Capitalism at it's finest so it should have total GOP support!
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on November 24th, 2009
My father-in-law lost his insurance when he got laid off from one of his jobs and then wound up in the ICU for about 4 months. The medical bills amounted to nearly $100K.
The fact that they knocked 33% off the top when they discovered he was uninsured should tell you something about the profit margins built into the medical field though.
And how much does the H1N1 vaccine *really* cost? I f a charitable organization can inoculate African villagers for pennies a piece, why do we pay $25 or more? The high medical costs we have here are pretty much strictly an American phenomenon brought about by our own greed and inefficiency.
Given that most of my visits are of a minor nature, I usually opt for an LNP over an MD. All of the knowledge and care I need for less.
As for the fillings, I have yet to pay >$150 for one. Granted, I have got a used car for less than that once, but honestly I have spent more on premiums that I saved by only paying 25% co-pays.
Given that my wife and I are in good health, we get adequate care and a 25% discount at the neighborhood medical clinic. So far, our routine/preventive care and one illness in the last 6 months has cost us less than 1 months premiums for insurance.
Of course, we are fortunate enough to be in a position where we can pay $60 for a clinic visit as needed, mostly because we are not paying >$60/week for insurance, but there are MANY Americans who are less fortunate than us.
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on November 24th, 2009
Some people would like those unfortunate souls to just die and save them the tax burden (more money for Iraq and Halliburton!). There are some greedy/selfish people that insist that saving a few dollars on April 15th is more important than human lives. People who feel that anybody who isn't fortunate enough to be able to be self-sufficient deserves nothing, that everything is a matter of choice, that the poor choose to be poor, that there are well-paying jobs available for the asking and money to be made and all you have to do is get off your ass and get some.
Those people are dangerously delusional sociopaths, but they are also a rather sizable and vocal group in our country.
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on November 24th, 2009
my uninsured friend/coworker paid 750.00 for a root canal, filling and associated expenses (x-rays and such).
if the hospitals and dentists lost money due to no insurance, theyed just jack up the prices for the ones who scrape together the money for them.
many jobs don't even offer the option of insurance, my job for example for a short time had a secondary coverage insurance plan (designed to cover the costs a primary insurance plan didn't cover) but as soon as a few employees used the plan and found that it only paid the copay of a "real" insurance plan and complained about it's inadequacies, the company canceled the plan entirely (along with direct deposit and employee feed) and now we only get hours worked up to 80 per pay period and nothing else.
by zwatcher on November 24th, 2009
unfortunately there are "poor" who choose to be, example, the homeless guy standing at the corner near my job. he stands there, in perfect health 12 to 16 hours a day asking for change. you mean to tell me a health, fit looking guy who speaks english and can stand for 12 to 16 hours, can't find a job? walmart needs greeters, hotels are always burning through valet and wait staff, i see every day help wanted/ now hiring signs, sure they are demeaning, low paying jobs but no more so then begging on the street.
by zwatcher on November 24th, 2009
As I said, I was using the flawed logic of people like Randoley.
That guy on the corner may be poor by choice, but does he represent ALL of us who don't earn enough to make ends meet and afford insurance? Are you saying that YOU are poor by choice? I doubt it.
As for me, I cannot do such "fallback" jobs to make ends meet. After an on-the-job injury, standing for long periods is at best painful and sometimes outright impossible and my interpersonal skills are such that customer service jobs are right out. It's not a preference; it's something covered by the ADA, and it restricts my occupational choices more than my limp.
What I *can* do are all skilled trades that there aren't many jobs available for at the moment, at least not in this area and I can't afford to move again. If I could get work, I could *easily* clear $35K/yr and likely far more.
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on November 24th, 2009
I do what I can and will take demeaning jobs WITHING MY ABILITIES if that's what it takes to pay the bills, but it really sucks for people that honestly try to be lumped in with the lazy bastards like that guy on the corner.
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on November 24th, 2009
i am poor by bad choice (i have let bad people drive me out of one job and refused promotions out of my field into high turn over positions i wasn't comfortable tackling.)
so you have a physical limitation, how do you feel about someone who CAN stand for 12 to 16 hours asking you to give them money?
don't worry, it's ok, they have a panhandlers license (a 10.00 value)
anyway, my point here is this, this country promises life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, so shouldn't they be doing something to assist these rights?
where is this promise for the children going to bed hungry, for the little old lady freezing to death in her home because she can't afford the outrageous prices of natural gas.
where is the promised rights for the poor, elderly and handicapped who die each year for want of healthcare they can't afford?
by zwatcher on November 25th, 2009
I believe that we should only help those that are willing to help themselves. If you are just lazy, you shouldn't be eligible for assistance. Think of how much money we would save if we only gave aid to people like you or me?
However, there are many people that would disagree. I made a bad choice by trying to help my in-laws avoid losing their house. I made a bad choice by entering the workforce when I left the military instead of racking up massive debt and getting a degree in a field that I have no aptitude for. I made a bad choice by not selling a kidney to buy a few Google shares when they had their IPO.
And for that, there are people that feel I deserve to suffer.
But hey, as long as the top 1% gets to quadruple their income in a decade, everything is okay even if inflation-adjusted wages for the bottom 90% of us have remained effectively flat!
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on November 25th, 2009
but who decides who's lazy and who's deserving.
my mother, after her second knee surgery, was taking physical therapy at Good "bad" Samaritan hospital, she collapsed during her second visit, by the time i reached the hospital she was in the emergency room and looked 3/4 dead. her skin was yellow and waxy, she thought she was in Denver general hospital and she was freezing to the touch. the next day after she was released to go home, her doctor called and canceled her physical therapy, he also told Medicare she was fine and no longer needed physical therapy for her knee.
which resulted in her disability and follow up hospital visits being terminated.
so, who decides who get to be helped? the doctors, the hospitals board of directors? he insurance company?
by zwatcher on November 25th, 2009