Discussions

What’s on your mind? Share it. Whether it’s an idea, an opinion or an experience that you’ve had with health care. You pick the topic. We’re all here because we want to make medicine better.

Start A New Discussion

Health Care Reform

Posted By: Jason Vander Weele meta_seperate Date Posted: April 9th, 2011 meta_seperate Category:

With discussion ongoing about health reform, I think “right to health care” can be compared to “right to an attorney”, in at least some respects. I don’t recall hearing an argument that someone should not have a public defender if they don’t have funds to hire an attorney. Health reform expands rights to people who have less to be able to obtain health insurance. A public defender has the duty to defend a client, paid for by the government. A doctor has a duty to provide care to a patient, paid for by insurance or possibly the government. Presuming that MOST people who face trial are guilty, our society is the ones who pay for the defense. But, when someone gets sick from a genetic disorder, not necessarily because of their health choices, we are up-in-arms about them not being able to pay.

This is my preliminary thinking, but I wanted to share. I’m curious to hear other opinions and arguments.


2 Comments


Comment By: Charlene Sandler meta_seperate Date & Time: October 12, 2011 at 2:59 pm

The problem is that when you mention that the “government” pays….what you are actually saying is that WE pay…through taxes! That’s all well and good but with so many people out of work (less taxes there) the burden falls on the rest of us..namely the working poor! I am all for medical care for the sick. I have Crohn’s Disease and have been hospitalized three times so far this year. Even with insurance, the co-pays, deductibles and costs not covered add up!

Comment By: Jason Vander Weele meta_seperate Date & Time: October 12, 2011 at 3:40 pm

Charlene,

You are right, we are the funders of the government, and lost tax revenue from unemployment does hurt us all. I think that the current economy makes tough choices tougher. Either way, any of decisions made result in a trade-off. I think back to an economics class I had with labor, capital and production possibilities, and how all of those things continue to be a part of the environment of health care and the country. Our choices affect where our effort is directed, whether that be health care for all, or a great highway system. In the few months since I wrote the previous comment, I’ve realized that the more we focus on the bigger questions, the better off we might be.

I do wish you the best!