DEBATE: is health care a right or a privilege?

[Bumbles]

discuss amongst yourselves

 

[Eeyore1954]

Privilege.

 

[Bob Slydell]

In the US, it's a privledge -- when it becomes a right, we've become a socialist society. People in countries where medical care is socialized either A.) wait forever for sub-standard care, B.) pay extra for decent care or C.) come to the US for medical care.

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Depends where you live. In the USA, currently, it's unfortunately a privilege.

 

[monkeyboy]

Originally posted by Bob Slydell
In the US, it's a privledge -- when it becomes a right, we've become a socialist society.

Well said Bob

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by Bob Slydell
People in countries where medical care is socialized either A.) wait forever for sub-standard care, B.) pay extra for decent care or C.) come to the US for medical care.

I have to disagree with the "either" part. In countries where medical care is socialized or government funded, typically ALL THREE are applicable.

 

[wvrevy]

Yes, because only the wealthy should be able to afford the best health care

 

[Bob Slydell]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
I have to disagree with the "either" part. In countries where medical care is socialized or government funded, typically ALL THREE are applicable.

True. I meant that in any given case, those are the three choices that people face. None of the choice, IMO, are very appealing.

 

[jrydberg]

Rights don't cost money to exercise.

 

[Lewisc]

Actually it's a right. Hospitals are not allowed to turn patients away regardless of ability to pay.

The problem is it may be more cost effective to treat poor people (for free if necessary) before it gets that far.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

The BEST health care is a privelege , but I think all minors in this country should be given at least adequate health care as a right. When they turn 18 or 21 , they can fend for themselves, but I don't think a helpless child should ever be turned away from care that they need because their parent either cannot or will not work.

 

[southernclass]

Originally posted by wvrevy
Yes, because only the wealthy should be able to afford the best health care

Right, good people who just don't have the money deserve to die.

I do however believe that certain people take advantage of this system as well as many others just because they are lazy but I still don't think that means they should just be left for dead.

 

[emmagata]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
Privilege.

ditto

 

[BedKnobbery2]

I'm just really curious. Bob, Eeyore, and Monkeyboy....I just have to ask. All four of us have cancer. I'm the only one who can afford healthcare. So it's A-ok with you that I live, and all three of you die? It wouldn't be okay with me. I think all 4 of us should have the equal right to treatment; as things currently stand, we do not. I'm not condoning any particular system of universal healthcare, but I do feel we need to initiate some kind of change which makes it more affordable and accessible for everyone, not just those who can afford it as it stands. (My read on what you've written/responded is that you think our current healthcare situation is fine as it is. My apologies if I've misinterpreted.)

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by southernclass
Right, good people who just don't have the money deserve to die.

I do however believe that certain people take advantage of this system as well as many others just because they are lazy but I still don't think that means they should just be left for dead.

And regardless of why parents do not work or choose to have healthcare, children should not be left to die because their parents are irresponsible.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by BedKnobbery2
I'm just really curious. Bob, Eeyore, and Monkeyboy....I just have to ask. All four of us have cancer. I'm the only one who can afford healthcare. So it's A-ok with you that I live, and all three of you die? It wouldn't be okay with me. I think all 4 of us should have the equal right to treatment; as things currently stand, we do not. I'm not condoning any particular system of universal healthcare, but I do feel we need to initiate some kind of change which makes it more affordable and accessible for everyone, not just those who can afford it as it stands. (My read on what you've written/responded is that you think our current healthcare situation is fine as it is. My apologies if I've misinterpreted.)

I'm not for Universal Healthcare either, but I certainly think everyone should be given the option to make payments rather than being required to have it all up front.

Some hospitals I know, let people do this, but many do not. I think maybe it varies by state.

 

[cardaway]

Cry socialism all you want, but a society would be pretty foolish and short lived if they denied heallthcare to people that could not afford it.

 

[emmagata]

Originally posted by Lewisc
Actually it's a right. Hospitals are not allowed to turn patients away regardless of ability to pay.

While that's true, it makes it semi-socialist because other people are paying for that care. Generally, the hospital doesn't give it away competely for free.

 

[wdwdvcdad]

Originally posted by BedKnobbery2
I'm just really curious. Bob, Eeyore, and Monkeyboy....I just have to ask. All four of us have cancer. I'm the only one who can afford healthcare. So it's A-ok with you that I live, and all three of you die?

yep.

where I come from, it called "the breaks". either you get them, or you don't

if a private entity/charity wants to help, fine. It's not the role of our government.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Originally posted by BedKnobbery2
I'm just really curious. Bob, Eeyore, and Monkeyboy....I just have to ask. All four of us have cancer. I'm the only one who can afford healthcare. So it's A-ok with you that I live, and all three of you die? It wouldn't be okay with me. I think all 4 of us should have the equal right to treatment; as things currently stand, we do not. I'm not condoning any particular system of universal healthcare, but I do feel we need to initiate some kind of change which makes it more affordable and accessible for everyone, not just those who can afford it as it stands. (My read on what you've written/responded is that you think our current healthcare situation is fine as it is. My apologies if I've misinterpreted.)

My opinion is that there are a number of ways of acquiring healthcare, regardless of income level and that there are very few excuses for not having adequate coverage for, at minimum, major healthcare issues (e.g. cancer, surgery, etc.).

I can't argue with you that something should be done to try to make healthcare more affordable, but, IMO, that stems more from problems with excessive and outrageous lawsuits that the medical profession faces these days (but that's a different debate altogether).