Health care is a controversial issue in the United States. With so much emphasis on health insurance like Medicaid, there is a lot of confusion on whether health care is a right or a privilege. Here is a look at the definition of health care and whether it is a right or privilege.
What is Healthcare?
According to the World Health Organization, primary health care is health and well-being focused on the preferences and needs of communities, families, and individuals. It deals with the comprehensive elements of physical, social, and mental health and wellbeing.
Healthcare ensures people get comprehensive care from prevention to treatment and rehabilitation.
Is Health Care A Right or Privilege?
According to Article 25 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, Every person has the right to living standards that are sufficient for their health and wellbeing. Therefore, this means that this care should be a right and not a privilege.
Health care as a right means that states are required to fulfill it by providing access to care, hospitals, food, safe drinking water, sanitation, and housing. This right entitles people to treatment, disease prevention and control, and access to essential medicine. It also affects various health determinants including healthy working conditions, gender equality, and health-related education.
However, health care is not a right in many states, it is a privilege. This means that this care is only given to those who can afford it. In the U.S., like in many parts around the world, the government has been struggling to satisfy all the conditions of health care and to make it a right for everyone. In fact, one of the issues that determines whether a U.S. presidential candidate wins an election or not is their proposals regarding healthcare. This goes to show that the fulfillment of healthcare as a right for every human being is far from being achieved.
Houston Healthcare Initiative is a group of health conscious patients and physicians dedicated to people’s health and well-being. The initiative does not only encourage ideas regarding healthcare but it also provides resources regarding the state of healthcare across the globe. If you are looking to make a difference in healthcare or want to learn more about healthcare, HHI is the forum to join.