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.

The Constitution also used to allow slavery and limited voting rights, so I'd hardly consider it the authority on human rights.

Asystole RN

2,352 Posts

The Constitution also used to allow slavery and limited voting rights, so I'd hardly consider it the authority on human rights.

You are correct in that the Constitution is not an authority on human rights. The Constitution was designed to protect certain rights from infringements from the federal government, but not necessarily give any rights. Unfortunately not everything was given protection. The Constitution is often cited as a justification for healthcare, that is why I addressed it.

BTW, both slavery and voting was deemed to be left to the states to decide upon, unfortunately they chose poorly.

netglow, ASN, RN

4,412 Posts

Look. Basic human rights are whatever we want them to be.

Religion is whatever you want it to be or not.

None of the above things existed until someone decided to make them what they wanted them to be.

So I think it's all about that.

squatmunkie_RN

175 Posts

If we never changed anything in the Constitution I'd still only be three-fifths of a person.

there arent any inherit rights. all rights humans have were assigned by others in power

Asystole RN

2,352 Posts

there arent any inherit rights. all rights humans have were assigned by others in power

Does a human who does not live under a power have all the rights he was born with? If born on an island by yourself, do you not have the right to do whatever you want?

Rights are things you are born with, that are inherent to the human condition.

Asystole RN

2,352 Posts

If we never changed anything in the Constitution I'd still only be three-fifths of a person.

Where does the Constitution say this?

Asystole RN

2,352 Posts

Look. Basic human rights are whatever we want them to be.

Religion is whatever you want it to be or not.

None of the above things existed until someone decided to make them what they wanted them to be.

So I think it's all about that.

Can you define a human right? What is a human right?

DizzyLizzyNurse

1,024 Posts

Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.
Where does the Constitution say this?

Three-Fifths Compromise - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

squatmunkie_RN

175 Posts

Where does the Constitution say this?

The Three-Fifths Compromise is found in Article 1, Section 2, Paragraph 3 of the United States Constitution. It was in place before the 14th Amendment.

And in today's 3rd grade American History lesson......

netglow, ASN, RN

4,412 Posts

A human right is whatever we decide it should be (as time passes -- subject to change).

As humans we can make of the world what ever we want as evidenced by the many varied definitions on human rights, law, religion, etc.

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