Is Healthcare a Right? (5/22/08)

As a physician practicing and teaching in rural, economically depressed southeast Ohio, daily I am confronted with the challenge of delivering health care to those who cannot afford to pay for it.  As I have considered the problem, with the influence of my experience as a missionary physician for 8 years in Honduras, I have made a few observations.

First and foremost is the issue of rights and responsibilities.  Does an affluent society have the responsibility to provide for the health care needs of its citizens?  Does each citizen have the right to health care?  Does the citizen have the responsibility to take care of himself?  Does the society have the right to encourage or even enforce good health practice for its citizens?

 

Exercise of rights requires exercise of responsibilities.

 

Unfortunately, many of the people in impoverished areas lack the basic abilities to fulfill their responsibilities.  Many lack in education.  Many lack in initiative.  Many lack in the basic ability to choose well.  Why?  There are nature and nurture factors.  Many people simply need opportunity and a little help to overcome an apparent hopeless situation.  Once they see an opportunity, a possibility that gives them hope, they can begin down the road to achieving it.  Others are incapable of reaching beyond their situation, no matter how much help they receive.

 

Is our society responsible to help those who simply need some hope and direction? I think so.  Is our society also responsible to care for those who will likely never rise beyond their current circumstances.  I think so as well.

 

What would / should a system of health care to meet the needs of these folks look like?  First it needs to be simple, almost automatic.  When someone is impoverished, they can’t navigate or manage a system of paperwork and options.  They lack the initiative and often the transportation to do the things the system requires to apply for government assistance.  Often they are in a health crisis that prohibits them from doing anything for themselves.

 

What do you think?