Do you believe healthcare is a human right?

[Shawn Hopkins]

Lately I've been thinking that it's insane that people get sick or die because they can't afford to pay for medical treatment. I feel that our civilization is now at a level where we should provide for the medical needs of everyone. Primitive concepts like health insurance need to be swept away, replaced with universal healthcare for everyone, with the cost shared by everyone. I'm not the most eloquent advocate for this system, I'm aware, but that's what I think needs to happen.

What do you think?

[numberthirty]

Having had a pretty recent eyeful of one of the current "Universal" systems, this one is way more complicated than "Yes"/"No".

[JCAll]

I don't know about "human right", that's a bit high concept for my brain to wrap around. I do believe it's in the best interest for everyone that governments look out for the health of those they govern. Firstly because unhealthy people are unproductive people. Maintaining people's health would be good for the economy, not to mention that less sick people means less miserable people, with is always good for morale. Secondly, and this might just be my opinion, every person that ever had to choose between medical care and feeding their family, and ended up crippled or dead because of it serves as a scathing condemnation of the very system we've all put out faith in. I just don't like that.

[Abe]

As a French guy, my answer is yes.

[codystarbuck]

It was meant to be part of Roosevelt's second wave of reforms, but was sidetracked by the war.

In the words of Green Arrow (on Justice League Unlimited), "I'm an old Lefty,; I believe that government exists to do for citizens what they cannot do for themselves." To me, that is to ensure the health and general wellbeing of the citizenry. if we consider it important enough for our military and elected representatives, then it is important enough for all.

Also, the words of Jefferson: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

To me, Life, as an inalienable right, includes healthcare to preserve it.

[Jabare]

if you believe all humans are equal the answer is yes. If you think differently it is now.

Trump and the GoP will tear down the Affordable Care Act so premiums will go down, however if you are poor or have a pre-existing condition you won't have insurance so pray you stay healthy because the government and all the health care agencies won't give a **** about you if you are unwell.


those on top of unchecked capitalism probably don't care for it either

[Paradox]

"promote the general welfare"

I think the government should provide health care for those who cannot afford it themselves. I think insurance companies (well ALL business really) should be heavily regulated by the government. Completely "free market" capitalism just leads to 19th Century style abuse and oppression of the working class.

[GOLGO 13]

We have the most powerful military ever known in the history of mankind. Our military budget is bigger than all of NATO's countries combined. We are not just a super power, but a hyper-powered country. We do not need to continuously invest such a staggering amount of our taxes into our military.

If a tiny country like Israel can provide for all her people, surely a mega country like ours can do the same.

[MindofShadow]

To an extent, yes.

Mostly yes.

I can think of some exceptions to things but in general yes.

But our healthcare system is so F'd up from top to bottom this isn't as easy as it seems if we are truly talking about "fixing" things.

But yes.

Mostly.

Unless I think about it too much and realize my money will be wasted on certain people. i mean, if you ask me this question after going to Wal-Mart or something i'd probably be in an angry state of mind...

but generally yes

lol

(but as an aside, how many people actually get sick and die because they have no money? If you show up in an ambulance, they treat you. What is more insane is going medically bankrupt because you have some money but not enough.

I mean, this countries system is fucking stupid. Idiots goig ot the ER for a god damn cold or a headache and ER's have to do 10000 different tests for a billiion dollars bc if they dismiss one of these idiots as ""faking" or "being a wimp" then they get sued for a **** ton of money. This system is just so GD fucked up from top to bottom)

[Shawn Hopkins]

To an extent, yes.

Mostly yes.

I can think of some exceptions to things but in general yes.

But our healthcare system is so F'd up from top to bottom this isn't as easy as it seems if we are truly talking about "fixing" things.

But yes.

Mostly.

Unless I think about it too much and realize my money will be wasted on certain people. i mean, if you ask me this question after going to Wal-Mart or something i'd probably be in an angry state of mind...

but generally yes

lol

(but as an aside, how many people actually get sick and die because they have no money? If you show up in an ambulance, they treat you. What is more insane is going medically bankrupt because you have some money but not enough.

I mean, this countries system is fucking stupid. Idiots goig ot the ER for a god damn cold or a headache and ER's have to do 10000 different tests for a billiion dollars bc if they dismiss one of these idiots as ""faking" or "being a wimp" then they get sued for a **** ton of money. This system is just so GD fucked up from top to bottom)

Very few people from emergency causes. Very many from untreated or undertreated chronic diseases.

[MindofShadow]

Very few people from emergency causes. Very many from untreated or undertreated chronic diseases.

Like what exactly out of curiosity?

Curious to see where you are at. "chronic disease" is very very vague term that can mean a lot of different things.

[Kees_L]

I'm Dutch and my answer is Hell yes!

The health impairments or accidents I'll get into may likely happen amid/due to my governments infrastructure or the workfloor, or me rushing towards either of those.
So my government provides, backed by whatever insurance corporations.
On the job and outside it I'm covered.

Once a 'house doctor' (covered) refers me to a hospital or pharmacy for a scan or medication or further specialist attention my fee to pay kicks in at 359 euro's annually, that's it.
Without any referals to show for however (but with medication still) I've been paying about zip often years enough!
I'm fully covered, aside from fancy schmancy private care hospitals, non-health-improving cosmetic surgery or experimental treatment.

For 360 bucks tops a year (and never more) any treatment or immediate care (some available abroad if needed) being reasonably available to me all without a frown - with only the being sick being up to myself (I have a chronic vital organ condition, but only the one so far).

I wish this kind of wealth upon anyone. And indeed I find this a human right. It's something to vote for, with vigour really.

[Scott Taylor]

Yes it is.

The question is more about what degree of care people have a right to get. Do they just get a bandage or do they get the machine that goes bing?

[Shawn Hopkins]

Like what exactly out of curiosity?

Curious to see where you are at. "chronic disease" is very very vague term that can mean a lot of different things.

Diabetes, heart disease, various cancers esp. breast, colon and cervical that can be detected early enough to treat by routine tests some people just don't have the money for.

[MindofShadow]

Diabetes, heart disease, various cancers esp. breast, colon and cervical that can be detected early enough to treat by routine tests some people just don't have the money for.

I can roll with all sorts of pre-screening and preventative measures.

Not sure how much preventative **** there can be for HD and DM other than, "hey guys, stop eating like garbage and not moving k thx leave please"

I do think there should be more... education on certain health things but my lord, some things aren't hard.

there are always these gray areas that bug me paying for stuff. All fatty fat backs needing knee replacements because she/he weights 400lbs rustles my jim jams. Or if fatty fat face needs quadruple bypass/gallbladder removed/ect.

Or, take it the other way. I lift weights heavy 3-6x a week. I am goign to go bench over 300lbs repeatedly tonight. Do you or anyone else really wanna pay for my likely future shoulder surgeries in 20 years? What about if I ripped my pec off the bone? Blow my lumbar disc out deadlifting heavy? Marathon runner who knees knee surgery? I mean, some of those things you may say "that isn't necessary!" but if I tear my shoulder up, I can't do my job... isn't that necessary to get fixed?

So, that is why I am mostly "yes." I think the government should cover basic needs. I think some things, such as physicals, should be forced onto people... if you skip your physical in 2016, guess what, you don't get any free healthcare (or some sort of rules like that). Catching thing early would cut costs in the future. Cancer is a weird one... do smokers get the same care for there lung cancer as fat soccer mom who got breast cancer? Does an alcoholic get the same care for his liver as the same person who destroyed their liver with multiple prescribed medications? mental health care paid for? ect ect

I think there is a line somewhere, im just not sure what that is really.