Blog #2

Do you believe that access to healthcare is a right or a privilege? I believe it’s a right more than a privilege because if we say it’s a privilege, then privileges can be taken away. Privileges tend to be selective. If it’s a right, then rights are usually protected. And if it’s a right, then it is everybody’s right. While the US Constitution does not specifically grant health care to individuals, except where we see in the 8th Amendment a clause that provides health care to detainees, there is a right to “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” , and obviously, a prerequisite to this “Pursuit of happiness” would be good health. We, as a nation, must finally decide that Health Care is a right and then move forward to “making that happen”.

What are your feelings about the present state of health care in the US? That currently it is a privilege reserved for those individuals fortunate enough to have an employer contributing to their health care insurance plan. However there is an ever-increasing majority who do not have this arrangement. Although I see a need for reform, I am concerned with the government providing and overseeing health care plans. The government by its very size and nature tends to complicate matters by adding many layers of bureaucracy to whatever service they provide. The private sector usually moves faster, responds quicker, more motivated, more personal and with less red tape involved. I regard our current health care is in a crisis-mode due to many factors such as increasing cost of technology, and population increases. Also, frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits resulting in higher doctor liability insurance, which in turn are passed along to the patient and/or health insurance companies. Doctors have to hire more office staff just to keep up with all the various health care plans, each with their own rules, treatment and billing codes.
Although I prefer the private sector provide the health care, I would accept the government stepping into this role if the alternative is to stay with what we have. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0843/is_1_29/ai_96500897/