Is health care in America a basic right or privilege?

1. 66

   RKHenryposted 15 years ago

   Is health care in America a basic right or privilege?

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2. 89

   Amanda Severnposted 15 years ago

   Until I joined Hubpages in the summer of 2008 I lived in blissful ignorance of American Healthcare issues. Sure, I knew that there was no national scheme, but I assumed that everyone was covered by medical insurance, and that those who were poor,... read more

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3. 60

   princeofthenightposted 15 years ago

   Is health care a right?  That is a good question because people like to use the constitution for the basis of everything they believe is a birth right these days.  The answer is yes and no.  Yes everyone that can afford health insurance is entitled to it.  If you are poor enough and can prove it you are entitled to whatever help your particular state offers, this is a state issue.  I say the answer is also no because it is not a constitutional right whereas it is written that every American will have health insurance.  If that were the case it would be free and everyone would have it.  We like to use the constitution as the reason why we should have everything we want but in reality the constitution is nothing more than a set of government limitations, it is designed to prevent big government from controlling everything much like it is trying to now.

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4. 60

   Dixon Northposted 15 years ago

   Good question - I think we often confuse rights with privileges.   
   
   I believe "Rights" are conditions we are born with,  conditions society must not infringe upon in any material way - ie  freedom of religion, the pursuit of happiness (as defined by the founders) for example. 
   
   Privileges, on the other hand flow from and are provided (at some cost) by the society in which we live.  Operating an automobile is a privilege, not a right!  Vehicles are built by others, roads provided by others, fuel provided by others .. and so on ... all at some cost.
   
   Morally, it would be nice if "healthcare" flowed from a hole in the ground, but it does not, and because we are at the mercy of society to produce "healthcare" - we have no "Right" to impose the cost of providing healthcare on other members of our society.
   
   Ask yourself, should I pay the healthcare cost for someone who smokes, over eats, does not exercise or makes no attempt to care for themselves?? 
   
   Many - many heath problems are directly related to life style choices made by the individual - which makes the issue of healtcare entitlement and even sticker question.

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5. 83

   donotfearposted 15 years ago

   Don't have a right or wrong answer to this.  However, to support those individuals who do NOT have insurance, somebody needs to step up to the plate and provide some help.  How bout private contributions from anonymous sources, then give em a big tax break, deduction for supporting public/free clinics for the uninsured?  Of course, I don't think the government ought to make them do it, but they should make it worth their while in tax breaks for making the contributions.  Oh, that's right, aren't they taking away tax breaks for contributions?

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6. 62

   jdengel86posted 15 years ago

   If one were to say that health care is a right, then I ask, who endowed this right to the individual? The government did not endow this right, at least not yet, did some superior being endow humans with this right? I don't know, we are not to merge religion and government. Is it the government's right to steal from me and my family to provide for someone who is not willing to work? Is it the individuals right to profit from this theft? I think the answers to these questions are quite obvious.

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7. 59

   veryirish dudeposted 15 years ago

   Health care is definitely a right. It is criminal, some of the rates that insurance companies charge. The fact that they have been in existence this long in our country is a disgrace.

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8. 61

   dabeanerposted 15 years ago

   The deterioration of service started with getting insurance companies and HMOs involved in most health care.  Insurance for common injuries and illnesses is what started us on the road to medical care deterioration.  Insurance for a broken arm, teeth cleaning, the flu...?  Give me a break.  Those are common occurrences.  Insurance is for the unexpected or rare expensive potential problems, not every little whiny problem.
   
   Then, companies getting involved with offering insurance as a benefit accelerated the problem by enabling increased costs and creating a two-tier system -- those "lucky" enough to have company insurance on the one hand and those peons self-employed or working for small companies on the other.
   
   If you think the situation is bad now, wait until you get Marxarack Obama's plan (whatever it is).  It will become even worse.  Remember, EGTTTS (everything government touches turns to shinola).
   
   Count on the American people to usually make the wrong choice. It's a wonder the country has lasted as long as it has.

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9. 60

   Eve Ngureposted 15 years ago

   You know what RKHenn I was about ask the same thing its such a highly discussed topic and it can drain you mentally at times! You feel me my brother!

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10. 71

    veracity83posted 15 years ago

    It should be a basic right for everyone, however, it is treated as a privilege in America. This should not even be a debate. Everyone deserves to receive health care no matter your race, ethnicity, social status, etc. If you haven't seen it already, you should check out Michael Moore's documentary entitled "Sicko."

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11. 70

    CarpetDiemposted 15 years ago

    The choice to LIVE a healthy life (eat healthy and exercise) if is a RIGHT that too many people fail to take advantage of. Many of our "health" issues are personal choices.

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12. 82

    G.L.A.posted 15 years ago

    Basic Right? Privilege? They say YES! and they say NO! As for me, I just believe that medical care should be provided to all sick and injured, regardless of their income bracket, or even their species. For Goodness sake! We'd be doing better than we are now if we'd simply provide the same humanitarian attitude towards our people as we do our pets!

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13. 60

    JON EWALLposted 14 years ago

    The argument as to health care being a right or privilege is a mute argument.why, because in the good old U S  anyone and every one,citizen or non- citizen can go to any hospital's emergency room and be treated to their problem.
    
    Poor citizens and illegals are given treatment,the costs of which are provided by government clinics, hospitals and various agencies funded by the government.
    
    So the question remains as to who is entitled to privileged  health care since it appears that basic health care i.s being provided to citizens who cannot afford the high costs of insurance.
    The politicians in Washington including our president believe that doctors and health care providers are charging too much for their services, the insurance companies are charging their clients too much and that the above are making too much money( profits or salaries ) .
    
    Keep in mind that when it comes to profits and salaries,the government takes maybe 50% of those working groups and spends it on various pork barrel projects.Maybe if the government would use those tax  funds to pay for all those unfortunate (not to be able to pay ) citizens unable to pay the health care providers. the insurance companies and the clients costs would come down.
    
    The health care reform bill in congress, if passed in its present form will not reduce health care costs as promised by our politicians in congress.The bill effects will be born by all classes and ages.who are now paying taxes.
    
    Wake up America ,review the bill that was recently passed and speak up before it will be too late.

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