Universal Healthcare: A fundamental human right?

[I Vote In Pittsburgh]

Does every human have the right to healthcare? Probably. At worst, healthcare greatly improves quality of life. If life's unfortunate events should harm anyone, it would be great if affordable medical care is available.

But is it really time to make this the primary issue for Americans? Our deficit is gargantuan, and our dollar is frailer than McCain. The costs costs of providing universal healthcare will be devastating, and we should resolve other issues first. The current wars, for example, almost certainly cause more emotional and physical damage than a healthcare plan can remove. Also, we should first stop the government from taking away our other fundamental rights before we give everything to temporarily gain another. Our fourth amendment rights have just been smashed into oblivion, and others are likely to follow. Lets fix our bigger and more solvable problems first.

[pinto]

1. Good points about priorities, yet if I read the analysis correctly,

universal healthcare, or a Medicare for all system, would actually save people money. The savings in administrative costs, currently burdened by a multiplicity of payers, weighted profit/billing structures, inequity in reimbursements, provider overhead, etc. could offset the real bottom line, fiscally, the costs to individuals for comprehensive healthcare.

Also, early comprehensive access to care helps prevent more serious, and costly, medical care down the road for an individual and the state to maintain. Longer productive life spans, decrease in preventable or deferred disability and the socio-economic benefit of a healthier population is a national investment worth making.

And, fwiw, I do feel it's a right. While we need to have a reasonable discussion of the fiscal concerns - it is a right.

(aside) I saw an interesting poll from AP recently that showed strong support for ending our involvement in Iraq for 'economic' concerns. Coupled with the obvious legal, international and humanitarian arguments supporting an end to the whole debacle this is a good one two punch on that front.

It doesn't seem beyond the realm of feasibility to link the two - Iraq and health care, economics and what's right - to broaden support for meeting both national agendas.

Thanks for the post.