Healthcare is NOT a basic human right.

Nurses Activism

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If one were to read the Constitution one would realize that the Constitution does not grant anyone freedoms, liberties, or rights. The Constitution only protects freedoms, liberties, and rights from transgressions on part of the government. A right is something that is inherent to the individual, comes from that individual, and is maintained by the individual. You are born with such rights like the right to speak freely, the only thing that can be done to that right is to have it infringed. No one can grant a right to another, only limit or impede the exercise of that right.

Healthcare is a human invention that does not exist in the natural environment. Only through the work of others and through the taking of resources from one party and giving to another does healthcare exist. You cannot force someone to give effort and resources to another and call that a right. In the absence of human intervention the individual would live their lives and succumb to the natural forces which would act upon their bodies.

Do I think we should provide preventative care and basic primary care? Sure. Do I think that we can? Maybe. Do I think that healthcare is a basic human right? Absolutely not.

Specializes in geriatrics.

The notion of simply saving money for health care costs isn't feasible for many Americans, because as several posters mentioned, the insurance companies often decide not to pay anyway. Or the mentality that, "I pay for my costs, and give to charity. That's my part." Great, but don't fool yourselves. With your current system, those who can afford to pay for health care are still paying for the people lacking medical insurance, whether you realize this or not. Indirectly, you are paying anyway, and yet, many citizens still do without medical care. Universal health care evens things out so that the funds are distributed to everyone in need.

Specializes in ED, LTC, SNF, Med/Surg.

"And in our land, we have the 'right' to free speech. Don't trample on 37 degree's rights because you don't agree with him. I for one don't care if he's a janitor. What he has to say is interesting, just as this debate is interesting. What you think is as valid as him and this is an important topic to all. It needs to be discussed - respectfully please."

I'm all for free speech, and if it "janitor" wants to speak his opinion he can do so. A forum for nurses is probably not the best choice. I'm sure there's plenty of janitor boards out there.

It all comes down to credibility, especially within the healthcare field. I wouldn't go to a janitorial board and say that we need a federal takeover of janitorial duties, and I sure wouldn't pretend to be one and or dodge the question.

Illustrating someone's credibility or lack there of is not trampling on free speech. Let's try to stay relevant here. Just think about it... Would you take a janitor's advice on what you as a nurse should do with your own health care? I don't think so.

Specializes in ICU, PACU, OR.

The Ghost of Tom Joad

Specializes in FMF CORPSMAN USN, TRUAMA, CCRN.

Could it be possible that many people are up in arms, as far as ObamaCare about being forced to take on a Healthcare policy of any sort, as they feel they are too young to have to worry about it? I remember when I was much younger, I didn't feel the need to concern myself with such trivial things, I was young and dumb and ten feet tall, hell I was Superman and I was invincible, I'd even been through a war and been shot a few times and that didn't kill me. Insurance, I don't need no stinkin insurance. Well, thank God I had it anyway. My point is many young people, most young people feel they are invincible, especially the young men. It isn't until they start having children that they realize the importance of such things as insurance and health care.

Specializes in Med-Surg.

I think the point is that people are up in arms about being forced to do ANYTHING. Its a slippery slope to a dictatorship at that point, IMO.

As to healthcare being a right because it is part of our right to life. How about power? I need power and gas to run my oven to feed my family, to run our AC so we don't die of heat here in GA, to have heat in the winter so we don't die from the cold (actually, I think thats a stretch for GA, but I am just trying to make a point). Those are all things that are important to our health, should the government pay for all that?

And while we are at it, I need to work a lot to provide for my family. I don't have time to clean my apartment. We all know sanitary conditions contribute to people being healthy. Does that mean the government should provide a maid once a week to come clean my apartment?

Again, slippery slope.

I believe that in all 50 states, it is a requirement to carry car insurance, like it or not. And you have to show proof of insurance to register your car every year. God forbid, you are pulled over and don't have auto insurance to show the officer.

I haven't noticed anyone getting their panties in a wad, because they have to buy car insurance.

Why is that? It is still being forced to buy something that you may or may not want to buy.

What is wrong with forcing people to buy car insurance? Or medical insurance? Nothing. If you don't have car insurance, and you are involved in an accident, you would have to pay the other driver's cost to fix his/her, car, or your for that matter. And damages for any passengers who were injured. The cost can be astronomical, if you factor in the cost of life time care for someone who was catostrophically imjured. Do you want to pay that out of pocket?

The same for health insurance. If you nip the problem in the bud, early on, you can avoid the need for further medical care for the same disease, injury. If a person is catostrophically injured, or critically ill with cancer, etc, and ends up in a nursing home as a long term vent patient. Do you want to pay for a condition that could have been prevented, or pay out of pocket for someone elses life time care? A car accident victim might have a young family that needs to be cared for. If the breadwinner is incapacitated, there is no one to care for the family, and they might end up on welfare, etc.

Doesn't it make more sense to spread the burden for their care, than on one person?

JMHO and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Somewhere in the PACNW

I used to have to travel 25 miles one-way to check a Coumadin level on a patient that played golf, went to the movies, went golfing and drove his wife to the airport. And he can't drive to a lab to get his levels checked? That was the last straw, for me. A gigantic waste of my time and our money.

I digress...

mc3 :nurse:

I believe that in all 50 states, it is a requirement to carry car insurance, like it or not. And you have to show proof of insurance to register your car every year. God forbid, you are pulled over and don't have auto insurance to show the officer.

I haven't noticed anyone getting their panties in a wad, because they have to buy car insurance.

Why is that? It is still being forced to buy something that you may or may not want to buy.

What is wrong with forcing people to buy car insurance? Or medical insurance? Nothing. If you don't have car insurance, and you are involved in an accident, you would have to pay the other driver's cost to fix his/her, car, or your for that matter. And damages for any passengers who were injured. The cost can be astronomical, if you factor in the cost of life time care for someone who was catostrophically imjured. Do you want to pay that out of pocket?

The same for health insurance. If you nip the problem in the bud, early on, you can avoid the need for further medical care for the same disease, injury. If a person is catostrophically injured, or critically ill with cancer, etc, and ends up in a nursing home as a long term vent patient. Do you want to pay for a condition that could have been prevented, or pay out of pocket for someone elses life time care? A car accident victim might have a young family that needs to be cared for. If the breadwinner is incapacitated, there is no one to care for the family, and they might end up on welfare, etc.

Doesn't it make more sense to spread the burden for their care, than on one person?

JMHO and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Somewhere in the PACNW

I don't want to buy my car insurance from the government, either.

:nurse:

mc3

Pt wasn't homebound and shouldn't be on service.

Sounds like your hha wasn't legit.

Specializes in Oncology, Med/Surg, Hospice, Case Mgmt..
This debate is about universal health care. Not food stamps, welfare, race, status, etc. Some people equate universal health care with handouts, when the idea behind it benefits everyone. Sure, I pay more in taxes than someone who makes less. By doing so, this ensures that they have access to care, as do I.

I agree.

There is also a huge misconception that all people who don't have health insurance are lazy, poor and unemployed. And I guess the rest are minorities and illegal aliens. Completely false. I know many people who don't have health insurance, need it badly and work every day. This is one of the most important reasons for universal healthcare, so that everyone can be covered. My daughter works full time and is in college and the only reason she has medical coverage is because she is now allowed on my insurance thanks to the early reforms. Before that, she was not covered for a few years and could not afford the healthcare she needed out of pocket. Our current system must be reformed.

I don't want to buy my car insurance from the government, either.

:nurse:

I have in the past. Much simpler and cheaper all around. Especially those hard hit new drivers. My son was quoted $6500 for six months for a six year old family sedan. His crime he's 21yo, never had an accident nor a ticket of any sort.

One province over and he'd be under $2000 for the year.

But you are still required to have it, aren't you? And I wil be that you carry it.

JMHO and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Somewhere in the PACNW

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