Health Care is a right

I do too.
In our Bill of Rights and our Constitution, there are words to the effect that we all hold "certain inalienable rights....."
by definition, here's what that means:
some rights are inherited, and some rights are held or fought for by the people....
(see Wikipedia definition)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inalienable_rights

"all men are created equally free and independent; they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

How many sick people are pursuing happiness??
How free are people when they are enslaved to a system that locks the doors when they need a surgery, or an eye exam?
How is this LIFE??

Yes, having equal health care for our citizens is a right....

The problem with asserting that health care is a right is that "health care" is not just 1 thing. There are different types of health care, different levels of service, etc. and you need to go further in your assertion and specify which specific health care practices would be included in that right and which health care practices would not be included.

For example (and there are many examples to choose from): Would you only pay for those health care treatments based on science? ... or ... Would you also include those health care treatments based on faith? ... What about health care practices based on cultural tradition that have no scientific or religious basis? ... or based simply on personal preference? I would LIKE a lot of things related to my health care (that I may or may not NEED), but does that mean society should pay for it all?

To simply say "health care is a right" and then end it there is a cop out. There are tough issues that need to be addressed, and stopping at that simplistic declaration doesn't accomplish anything useful.

It's a priviledge that everyone in our society should enjoy, because we can afford it.

I also agree with llg, that it's a complex issue.

I can certainly make the argument of health care being a right especially when you consider the cost to society of people being unable to achieve their potential d/t health related issues.

It's just as much of a right as it is to breathe....

Defining health care as a right is pointless, just as engaging in an argument to say it's NOT a right is pointless, especially in relation to the discussions we have here. If you want me to say it's a right, then OK...it's a right.

And if we decide that health care is a right based on some vague constitutional language, then we can also say car ownership is a right. So is home ownership. Internet access is a right.

Gun ownership is a right, too. Anyone disagree? I own a few, and I support the right of EVERYONE to own a gun, even those Americans who might not like me.

I, however, don't believe that right of gun ownership obligates me to buy that gun for them.

When food and shelter are rights for everyone maybe then we can add healthcare to the list.

It sounds as if you and I have views that are very similar. But I think it is really hard to write good social policy on such a complex issue -- even if a majority of the people are pretty much in agreement on the basic principles. That's why I try to stay flexible and tolerant of the governments attempts to provide services to all. I doubt I could do much better myself.

I quoted your line above to point another complexity: Do you really mean that government should not provide assistance to colleges or to students who need assistance? I doubt you really mean that.