Health Care: Right or Privilege
What is the difference between a right and a privilege? A right is a just claim or title, whether legal, prescriptive, or moral: You have a right to say what you please. Privilege is any of the rights common to all citizens under a modern constitutional government. (Dictionary.com) As I researched the meaning of both words I found that they are very similar. Now that I have you thinking about those two words here is the big question: Is health care a right or a privilege? This question goes all the way back to the constitution. Many have been debating about this for many years. Even today people are still fighting for health care.A right is something you are born with, and you will die with, granted to you by your “Creator” (whatever you imagine She/he/It/Them to be). A right something that is naturally yours. Something that no one can take away from you unless you give you rights away legally.
People give their rights away in contracts and by going to jail. Even going to jail does not take away all your rights. A privilege is granted to you by the King, General, Church, or the State, and may be revoked at any time, if one loses favor. This is usually caused by a failure “consider the king”, a failure to pay the “royalty”, tax, indulgence, tithe, license fee, etc.It is a privilege to be able to have nice cars, clothes, and homes. Is health care a right? This question is dear to my heart because I had to endure a situation of my very own. My youngest son was born during a time in which I was not working which left me reaching out to Medicaid.
Medicaid is healthcare benefits in Georgia without health care insurance. Medicaid helped for the first year with no problems. After that I was on my own. A job with medical benefits was hard to come by at the time. My son became very ill. I would take him to the doctors once a week and they would tell me that he just had a cold.By the end of the first year Medicaid would not pay for any more medicines for him, they said he had used all his limits.
What was I suppose to do? Yes I worked but there were no benefits. One day while at the hospital he stopped breathing. That one day visit turned in to 21 days. If I had not reapplied for Medicaid my son would not be here today. All humans should have the right to health care. Is no matter age, race, social status, or religious belief all humans should have health care.
Many people do not have health care because of age, race, and social status. We are all humans and Excessive bail shall not be required, nor xcessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted (Amendment 8). Many have looked at not have the opportunity to have health care is cruel and unusual punishment. I do not agree that not having health care is a cruel and unusual punishment. Yes it is unfair to some people. Many people have been debating health care for years.
Should it only be given to the elderly? What about the terminal ill patients, or the special need. Why not to the average man or woman who just cannot afford health care. At this rate healthcare benefits would allow more people to go back to work.I know there have many time you have gone to work sick. Your minor sickness could lead to a long term sickness which could be easily speeded to your coworkers.
References
- Privilege. (n.d. ). Dictionary. com Unabridged. Retrieved December 20, 2010, from Dictionary. com website: com/browse/privilege”>http://dictionary. reference. com/browse/privilege Right. (n. d. ).
- Dictionary. com Unabridged. Retrieved December 20, 2010, from Dictionary. com website: http://dictionary. reference. com/browse/right
- “The Constitution of the United States,” Article 1, Section 8, Clause 5.
- “The Constitution of the United States,” Amendment 8.
