Healthcare as a right or a privilege... this actually is an ethical question to me. Without healthcare people may have a poor quality of life, succumb to diseases, or die. I believe that life is precious and it should be treated as such. So, to me, providing healthcare or making it easy to access is the right thing to do. There is a difference on the right thing to do and a right. That is where I am at a crossroads. It boils down to my fundamental beliefs on how society should be run versus my beliefs in life being treated as precious. It is an inner turmoil. So, which of the beliefs do I believe to be more important?
After pondering this for a while, I came to the conclusion that I believe that life is most important. Therefore, if I am going to treat life as if it were precious, I would have to view everyone's life with the same perspective (since I believe everyone was created equal). If I believe that life is important, then it is not a far stretch to jump to the preservation of life as important. The key to preservation of life is healthcare in all of its forms--preventative, palliative, and active treatment. So, yes, I believe that healthcare is a right.
The sad thing is that this is not always upheld due to our capitalistic society. It is one of the flaws. I especially see this as a RN at a psychiatric hospital. I have interacted with a large number of patients that leave the hospital when they are still at risk for suicidal/homicidal behaviors, or are becoming stabilized but not to the point of functioning well in society--insurance companies, or the lack of insurance (self-pay patients) place a definite end point based more on the almighty dollar than on improvement of their mental health.
To correct this flaw, I wish that people would be charitable, take an active role in their community and the welfare of others, not become socialistic. That would require the internalization of the importance of life (not just your own), compassion, and giving from the heart. Not everyone is willing to make that sacrifice, and not everyone can...
Anyways, just as a side note, I am unsure as to how far healthcare providers or recipients should go to preserve life. When does letting God be God, or "letting nature takes its course," and the acceptance of death as a part of life here on earth factor in? I think it is a very fine line that I have not yet discovered. Personally, I do not need to live on this earth eternally in this failing/imperfect body of mine. Hopefully, I will have discernment and wisdom to do the ethical and morally right thing to do if I ever face a decision that challenges me in that way.
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