Soc. 490 week 2

After another week has gone by along with some more readings and several discussions in class,  I still believe it is a right just because there are many hard working individuals that can't afford it, or children that are stuck without the care that they need.  I also understand why others believe that it is a privilege.

Those that think health care is a privilege believe that if health care was treated as a right that it would increase health care costs.  This is what Boudreaux states in his article; "This leads to monstrously inefficient consumption of health care.  Some people consume too much while many others with more pressing needs do without."  This is true, if health care was a  free for all then there would certainly be debates on who is more deserving of certain treatments, there would be a lot of controversy when it comes to making medical decisions, and would ultimately be placed in the hands of the government and other officials.  It would not  be such a freedom, but more of a government regulated hand out. 

Health care as a privilege also makes sense because it something that should be worked for and not handed to those who do not deserve it.  Someone who is not working just because they are lazy or do not want to find a job certainly don't deserve health care.  Hard working individuals earn their health care by being employed and striving to make a good living, and those that lack motivation should not be rewarded something that is not necessarily a dire need. 

When there was a question about why someone that lives next to the Cleveland Clinic is not healthy when it is the most advanced and well known hospital in the United States, it is merely an observation.  Just because you live in the same city as a great hospital does not mean you receive all the care that it offers and is a place you frequently visit.  Hospitals do not just see you because you live in the area, you need insurance and other requirements to be seen by a doctor.  You don't just give your mailing address and if you live within so many blocks you qualify for treatment.  Just because it is so close does not mean you are automatically more healthy.

I understand each side of the debate clearly and I think that there will always be a fine line between a right and a privilege.  The reason I think health care should be a right is because of children.  Children should not be denied care because an adult is not able to produce health insurance.  Whether this adult is truley unable to receive insurance or they just do not believe in hard work, it is not the child's choice.  Health care will always be a topic up for debate and a solution will be hard to find that satisifies both sides.