Is health care a right?

The concept of health care as a right has become an increasingly hot topic, particularly with presidential elections around the corner. There are many legitimate arguments to be made on both sides of the fence. First, we must clarify what that question means. Does it really mean “is FREE health care a right?” When something is determined to be a “right,” does that mean it becomes the responsibility of the government to provide, uphold, and enforce that right? Rights are dynamic and subjective. Therefore, the answer will largely depend on current cultural trends.

Health care is an area that is very near and dear to my life. I have worked in health care for most of my adult life, as has my husband. I have also been a lifelong consumer of health care, including several hospital stays. Let’s assume, for the purposes of this blog entry, that we are talking about “universal health care.” That is, health care that is managed by the government, funded by tax dollars, and equally available to all citizens.

There are numerous questions to consider related to the concept of free health care as a right. Most rights have responsibility attached to them. There has been an increasing trend in this country, however, to emphasize rights while simultaneously de-emphasizing individual responsibility. When imagining a United States with universal health care, I cannot help but wonder whether there would be limits, or whether it would be an “anything goes” system.

Is it society’s responsibility to provide free health care to the drug user who has overdosed for the fifth time in her life? What about providing a free leg amputation, free prosthetic leg, and a year of free rehabilitation to the diabetic who chose not to correctly manage their disease? What about providing ongoing prescription sleep medication for the person who has a hard time falling asleep at night? Or how about providing free viagra for the man with erectile dysfunction so that his self-esteem will not be eroded?

Where should the lines be drawn, and who should be in charge of making such decisions? In this post I present questions. I am refraining from including any personal opinions, as I feel that warrants a separate post.