There has been some discussion recently about whether healthcare is a right or whether it is a privilege. A recent quote from Jim DeMint (Senator from South Carolina) has sparked some controversy. Here is his quote...
"I think healthcare is a privilege. I wouldn't call it a right."
As you can imagine, there was an immediate uproar from progressives about this statement. The general consensus around here is that healthcare IS a basic human right. But this is mostly because folks around here want a public option or universal healthcare - so, of course they label it as "a basic human right". After all, it fits their agenda.
But what is the truth, politics aside?
Is healthcare a basic human right or isn't it? And if it is, to what level?
The best argument I've heard against healthcare being a basic human right was well stated by kossack j1mmy. In his diary Health Care is not a Right, j1mmy says...
You have the right to free speech anywhere in the world. No matter the country, no matter your citizenship, you have that right. It's intrinsic to your being. What differentiates the United States from many other nations, is that the first amendment to our Constitution recognizes that right.
Other nations are more restrictive, some extremely so. Such nations may not like what you say when you exercise that right, and they may punish you for it. This does not mean you can lose that right, however.
I hope this establishes first and foremost that rights are not something given by the government to the people. Rights are something guaranteed not to be taken away from the people by the government. You may be familiar with the word "unalienable" used to describe rights in the Declaration of Independence. Something "alienable" can be taken away. Something "unalienable" cannot.
The other aspect of a right is that the exercise of that right requires only the action of the individual. You don't need anyone's help to exercise your right to free speech -- just start talking, or writing, or performing an interpretive dance, or whatever form of speech you enjoy. You have the right to do so.
He also goes on to say...
Health care involves the participation of doctors, nurses, hospitals, drug companies, medical equipment companies, pharmacists, etc. There are a lot of people in the health care field expecting some form of compensation for the products and services they provide. I doubt anyone here would seriously suggest that all these individuals and orgainzations work for free (they would take other jobs instead) in order to provide health care to everyone. Doctors need to eat, too.
Since we've established that the provision of health care incurs some real cost, there is no tangible way to reconcile a right to health care with the second aspect I discussed above. If you are dependent on others for your health care, you receive such care at their mercy. While some may offer it for free, most will expect to be paid, if not by you, by your insurer, or the government.
He finishes with...
Health Care is a Privilege
If you still don't agree with me, consider how you might exercise your "right" to health care in a foreign country. I already covered the issue of limited access due to limited facilities, but what about a country with a large health care system and substantial facilities? Can you expect the same level of care as a non-citizen than you might get at home? Does your insurance cover you abroad? Would the public option?
Where you don't have access paid for by your insurer or government, health care is a privilege to you. Where you do have access, health care is a privilege afforded to those who do have insurance or are enrolled in a government plan. Neither of these situations equates to a right, as your insurance policy can end, and a government program can be canceled or expire.
Health care is a privilege to those who can afford it, either by paying for it directly as individuals, or paying indirectly through an insurer or government.
But I need health care!
You need food, too. Do you have a right to food? No. You have the right to obtain food, but not at the expense of another.
Can you wander on to a farm, take whatever you want, and walk away? Yes, absolutely. It's called stealing. The farmer may call the cops, sick his dog on you, or simply unload his shotgun into your back as you flee (bet you wish you had a right to health care!). He's exercising his right to protect his property. Your right to food doesn't extend beyond your own garden.
He is right. Healthcare is not a basic human right.
However, this does not mean that I necessarily agree with j1mmy. Here's my take on it...
In the purest intellectual sense, j1mmy has proven that healthcare is not a basic human right. However, what about in the practical sense, as it relates to America in 2009. It seems to me that this argument over whether healthcare is a right or a privilege is a false argument. What we really should be discussing is whether the equality of healthcare is a right or privilege.
In other words, should we make things equal between the rich and the poor, and between the sick and the healthy when it comes to healthcare reform?
To answer this question, we should look at what America has done in the past. We need to see what the precedence is for our country. Here are some examples...
Police and Fire Services
As j1mmy points out, these are not basic human rights. However, as taxpayers of a civilized nation, we expect a certain level of service from police officers and firefighters. While there may be some inequality of how people are actually treated when it comes to these services, there is no law or policy that requires inequality. Indeed, the main theme of most civil laws is equality or "equal treatment'.
The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
This law is all about allowing equal access to those of us whom are handicapped. Yes, it costs extra to make those curb corners into ramps and yes it does increase the cost of constructing commercial buildings. We all bear that cost in the end and we don't punish people for being handicapped.
The Public Library System
Are books a basic human right? No. Yet, as a society, we have determined that books enhance our lives and shouldn't be only for the rich.
The Public School System
Education is not a basic human right. But again, as taxpayers in America, we come to expect it.
Now, in each of these cases, a certain level of service is expected by the public. And, in each of these cases, these things could be improved upon with additional funding. For example, a rich person that is not happy with the current level of police protection is free to hire private security for themselves. The rich person that wants better fire protection can install a sprinkler system and smoke detectors. The rich person that wants better access for his wheelchair can build better ramps and wider hallways into their home, or get a better wheelchair for going out. And, the person that is not happy with the selection of books at the library can go buy the books they want. The person that is unhappy with the public school system can pay for private school.
The point is, in each of these cases, there is a minimum standard that is offered to the public at large and it is there for every citizen to use. If you're rich, you can always improve on it.
THIS is what we should be doing with healthcare.
A public option makes sense and is completely inline with how America already does things. The public option should NOT be a cadillac plan that covers everything under the sun. However, it should cover all diseases and all treatments of those diseases. It should also cover preventative exams and check-ups. No frills, but solid basic coverage. This is as American as it gets.
Summary
Healthcare is not a basic human right. However, as an American taxpayer, the current system is unacceptable. Any system that allows millions of its citizens to fall through the cracks is unacceptable. As American taxpayers, we expect healthcare to be inline with other government services such as Police, Fire, Public School, Library, etc. A public option that fully covers all medically necessary treatment as well as reasonable preventative care is all that is needed. If the rich want more, the private insurance companies will be there for them.
This is about equality, not privilege.