* Honest question.
For all this talk about health care, the discussion seems to be running in circles and buried in economic / corporate jargon. In this torrent of editorial opinions and compromised positions, we risk losing sight of why this topic is so vital to a thriving nation.
Emotions are high and the stakes are higher. Despite these issues, we don’t have time to waste on old non-solutions. As such, I propose a reset, starting fresh, with some basic definitions.
First off, what is health?
According to the World Health Organization 1948 (still current) definition:
” Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. “
Very rarely do we consider health as anything more than the absence of sickness. However, I believe it is important to remember health isn’t just about how you survive but how to thrive.
Secondly, is Health Care a human right?
Refer to Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10th, 1948 (once again, still current):
” (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.”
Considering the above I’ve come to an understanding I believe is worth sharing:
To assert, directly or indirectly, that health care is not a fundamental right of the people in a civilized society and that such people are entitled to significantly less than the above is morally corrupt.
Such thinking is admittedly idealistic. There are innumerable factors keeping us away from the ever-illusive perfection. Still, to understand this as suitable excuse enough to not try is unacceptable.
Health care should be approached like a civic service for the community. No one questions the need for civic institutions such as water treatment, waste management, public transit, police, EMT or fire. Such elements are vital in a functional society and notably missing in a dysfunctional society.
Considering this I’d like to share a novel idea:
- We collectively take personal responsibility for our personal physical, mental and social well-being and
- Provide comprehensive social safety measures for everyone when the inevitable events, out of our control, such as sickness, disability, or death, happen to occur.
Notice I didn’t say a word about premiums, vouchers, markets, open enrollment, and other such economic vocabulary? That’s because those are elements of business.
Let’s be clear, businesses have but one, and ONLY one goal; to make more money. Anything after that is up to the moral character of the businesses’ benefactors (owners, shareholders, etc.).
Human life and rights are not to be for sale nor placed behind profits
Yet in this immoral land, my city of birth STILL doesn’t have clean water not after three weeks, not after three months, but not even after *1000+ days* (nearly three years) from when the switch was flipped.
And why did this happen? To “save money” (check 10FactsOnFlint).
And that’s the main argument against public healthcare for all; “More Taxes”, “Too expensive”, “Profit loss”.
Run the country like a business you say? That’s fundamentally opposed to the idea of a state, a nation, a community. Community is such an entity where the people act with common interests, not the needs or whims of the few.
At some point we have to ask ourselves, how much does “saving money” cost?
What is the cost of profit?
Are human rights, dignity, life too big to fail?
Is the planet too big to fail?
How much a dollar really cost?
Let’s roll our sleeves up, consider deeply not the costs and benefits, but the problems and solutions.