A Change in Tactics

This article is not the first to suggest health care as a basic human right. It is recognized as such by developed nations across the globe, but we fail to recognize the tactical value in viewing healthcare as a right. In the US, health care is viewed as a transactional exercise. The economic foundation of health care in this country, the fee for service model, reinforces the concept of healthcare as transactional. When conceived in this way, arguments to improve healthcare are provided in the language of commerce. We argue about cost. We argue about quality. Efforts to improve care become arguments about what changes are needed, but fail to capture what is fundamental and therefore lack appeal to the imagination and passion of the nation. Fundamental change requires arguments about fundamental issues. Healthcare is a fundamental issue. The country has made progress toward viewing healthcare as a right and enshrining those rights into law. EMTALA, Medicare and Medicaid are examples of recognizing healthcare as a right granted to specific populations.  Providing Medicare For All is a strategy to establish this right for everyone. Unfortunately, I predict this attempt will fail if the right to healthcare is not first established in the hearts and minds of the nation. A system that benefits the very few and yet does harm to the majority is prima facie evidence of a violation of a people’s civil rights. Those that will lead the charge against healthcare as a right will appeal...
Source: The Health Care Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Policy healthcare reform Robert Pretzlaff Source Type: blogs