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.

it's okay for state governments to boss you around but not federal government?

The federal government's powers are limited to enumerated ones. States can make up pretty much whatever rules they want, as long as they don't violate limits in their state or federal constitution.

Specializes in geriatrics.

I respectfully disagree. According to Canadian values, health care IS a basic human right. Ideally, the goal is to have productive members contributing to the society in which they live, through various means. People cannot do so if they aren't healthy. Furthermore, it is a shame that many people in America have had to declare bankruptcy in order to afford health care. I am so thankful that I don't have to worry about how I would afford health care as a Canadian. America could learn a thing or two from our system.

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.
“WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Well DoGood, I hope you are quite pleased with yourself. I had to sing the Preamble, like I learned to do SO many years ago by watching Saturday morning cartoons and catching the SchoolHouse Rock snippets during commercials. I have 6 hours left on my shift and there is no way that I will be able to get that out of my head =)

BTW, we have all of the SchoolHouse Rocks on Video AND DVD, and my children now love them as much as I did then. How's THAT for getting off-topic? LOL

"

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I have a very dear friend from Canada. She has spoken at length about how things work in Canada regarding the wonderful realization of socialized medicine. A necessary shoulder surgery that took 16 months to happen while waiting to get in to see ortho. Needing a chest Xray or blood draw, getting the order from an MD and then finding a center to have it actually performed. Needing a referral to see a pediatrician to have your child evaluated for ADHD and then waiting 9 months to see said peds. Waiting 7 months for you appointment with the pulmonologist, have him need to cancel your appointment and then wait another 4 months to get back in.

Yeah, having the appointments and such be covered by insurance doesn't mean dick when you can't get in to see who you need to in a timely manner. IMO, of course

I respectfully disagree. According to Canadian values, health care IS a basic human right. Ideally, the goal is to have productive members contributing to the society in which they live, through various means. People cannot do so if they aren't healthy. Furthermore, it is a shame that many people in America have had to declare bankruptcy in order to afford health care. I am so thankful that I don't have to worry about how I would afford health care as a Canadian. America could learn a thing or two from our system.
Specializes in geriatrics.

You're commenting on our system based on a couple of opinions. I was born and raised in Canada, so I am well aware of the positives and negatives that exist. No health care system is perfect. And yes, sometimes people have to wait, but that is the price we pay in order for all Canadian citizens to have access to health care whenever they need it. Also, private clinics do exist in Canada for people who cannot/ do not wish to wait for the service.

It may not be a constitutinal right for someone to have health care, but as a civilized society made up of various laws, it is a protected right. For instance, if an elderly person who has a caretaker, and is in the process of dying on their couch, and starving themselves, there are laws that protect that person, and requires intervention. That is off the top of my head--but the point I am trying to make is that laws both federal and local give people protective rights.

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

you're almost right. I'm commenting based on the EXPERIENCE of ONE friend who is well-versed in Canadian healthcare (she's also an RN). That said, based on the positives and negatives that exsist, I'll happily keep the system we have in place here =)

You're commenting on our system based on a couple of opinions. I was born and raised in Canada, so I am well aware of the positives and negatives that exist. No health care system is perfect. And yes, sometimes people have to wait, but that is the price we pay in order for all Canadian citizens to have access to health care whenever they need it. Also, private clinics do exist in Canada for people who cannot/ do not wish to wait for the service.
Specializes in geriatrics.

That's fine. I don't know any other way, based on the fact that I was raised here. I'll keep what I have, too, based on the alternative.

"WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Well DoGood, I hope you are quite pleased with yourself. I had to sing the Preamble, like I learned to do SO many years ago by watching Saturday morning cartoons and catching the SchoolHouse Rock snippets during commercials. I have 6 hours left on my shift and there is no way that I will be able to get that out of my head =)

BTW, we have all of the SchoolHouse Rocks on Video AND DVD, and my children now love them as much as I did then. How's THAT for getting off-topic? LOL

"

*OMG* You *TOO*!

Soon as one started to write "We the people...." that darn ditty crept into my head and now won't leave.

Gotta love being a "Boomer" even if one came in on the tail end. The 1970's were so hyped up about the coming 1976 bicentennial that there was tons of things like "School House Rock" everywhere. To bad we haven't kept that feeling going over the years.

Everybody come on and sing it with me now!

One remembers most all of the "SchoolHouse Rock" songs/programs. But to bring this back on home and on topic:

Huh? This doesn't make since at all. Also, it's okay for state governments to boss you around but not federal government?

In short the answer to your query is, yes.

Again according to the USC all powers not given to the federal government by that document belong to the states. In addition there are clauses in the USC that give states (who by their consent created the federal government to begin with), explict rights that the feds cannot trample. Using (again) the hot topic of the day *gay marriage) states that allow the thing claim that the federal law DOMA impedes their rights to grant certain benefits and such to those living within it's borders.

Keeping it health related a state can mandate it's residents do most anything long as it is not illegal, violates the state's own or USC, and or federal laws.

Under most circumstances the only time the federal government becomes involved is if something receives funds from them (such as Medicare, Medicaid, etc), involves cross state commerce and or travel, and or violates various laws or rules set up and or enforced by federal branches of government/agencies.

For instance the feds cannot tell you when you are allowed to purchase booze in your state and or what the minimum age must be; however the state can not only do so but up numerous other requirements such as showing *vaild* ID.

Specializes in ICU.

I feel that the fight against universal healthcare is a very uncaring and selfish one.

If we have the ability to help others- to SAVE THEIR LIVES...we should do so. Every life is worthy.

Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.
I have a very dear friend from Canada. She has spoken at length about how things work in Canada regarding the wonderful realization of socialized medicine. A necessary shoulder surgery that took 16 months to happen while waiting to get in to see ortho. Needing a chest Xray or blood draw, getting the order from an MD and then finding a center to have it actually performed. Needing a referral to see a pediatrician to have your child evaluated for ADHD and then waiting 9 months to see said peds. Waiting 7 months for you appointment with the pulmonologist, have him need to cancel your appointment and then wait another 4 months to get back in.

Yeah, having the appointments and such be covered by insurance doesn't mean dick when you can't get in to see who you need to in a timely manner. IMO, of course

I live on the border of Canada and the US and you'd be surprised how many Canadians come here for health care. For example, we get Canadian NICU babies because there aren't any beds for them.

Seems Canada is good for routine care. USA is good if you need something specialized. There's gotta be a way to mix the two so we have best of both.

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