Soc 490

The fight over universal (socialized) health care is tumultuous and very grey. There is no black and white because there is a fine line between the privilege and right aspect of it. I do believe it is more of a privilege, but then again there are valid points that could make me see it as a right. When Professor Mustafaga was asking us in class whether we believed it to be a privilege or right, I believe I answered right, but as long as people were not abusing the system. Seeing as that is inevitable, I concluded it to be more of a privilege, but with good arguments with why it should be a right.

One of the valid points as to why health care should be a right is because everyone should be given the ability to live a long and healthy life. To deny health care is the equivalent to denying someone the right to eat or live a healthy life. Health care is even take to the extent of being compared to food. Which in this case is shown as if you would not deny someone food, then why deny them health care that is allowing them to survive? Human beings deserve to take care of themselves and if they can not then who are we to not?

I also remember Professor discussing how people who live countries with universal health care statistically, live longer and have healthier lives. If this is the case, then why isn't the United States jumping on board? Even the infant mortality rate in these countries is lower than that of the U.S. With all of our technological advancements that we tend to boast about, it seems that we are behind in keeping more babies from dying and the elderly living longer. One reason could be because of our health care system. If pregnant women could afford to receive proper prenatal care and the elderly receive the proper care and medicine they needed, maybe Americans could become healthier and live longer.

Right or privilege, health care will always be a debated topic. Now that the elections are over and Obama has been re-elected, it will be interesting to see how these next four years will pan out. Health care has been a huge part of Obama's platform and campaign, and his plan for universal health care has shaken the country. As I still believe it is a privilege, I am anxious to see the changes that will soon occur. Health care will never be something universally agreed upon because it will always lie in the grey area.