write 3-5 sentences response to this post in your own words . RE: Sect. 1 Week 1
ID: 3459337 • Letter: W
Question
write 3-5 sentences response to this post in your own words .
RE: Sect. 1 Week 14 DQ 12: Justice and access to health care
COLLAPSE
My views on this issue most closely mirror the libertarian theories of justice. I think society has a responsibility to make sure that patients can receive healthcare if they need it, but I do not think society has a responsibility to pay for it. Even if it takes years of making payments, and this option should be available, it is the responsibility of the patient or his/her private insurance company to pay for care.
To elaborate, Vaughn explains that the libertarians believe all citizens should be able to use money and other resources belonging to them in whatever way they wish. Universal healthcare or other systems that force healthcare are a violation of this right (724). To cite a personal example, my family has been fined for years now for not having insurance. We are generally healthy people; we rarely ever go to the doctor. Thus, we felt that health insurance was not the best use of our money, and it is our right to decide that. The point I am trying to make is that it is everyone’s right to be treated if they are sick, but they must be able to pay, no matter how long it takes and how little they pay at a time. It is also everyone’s right to seek whatever methods of healthcare they see fit because it is their money, time, and well-being, and they may do with it what they wish.
I believe the idea of physician-assisted suicide is related to this concept of justice. Just as it is someone’s right to seek healthcare, it is his right not to as well. Many of us agreed with this position, so why should it not extend to all healthcare? If I do not want to spend my money on healthcare, why should my tax dollars pay for it? Some might say it is because it helps support others who cannot afford healthcare. However, there is nothing wrong with supporting others; everyone simply should not be forced to do it. Additionally, the idea of payment plans comes into play here. If a patient can only afford to pay $50 a month, then so be it.
The major drawback I see to this view is the prospect of differing qualities of care depending on ability to pay. I admit that this is a problem, and at present I am not sure how to solve it. I just feel that universal healthcare is not the answer.
Works Cited
Vaughn, L. (2017) Bioethics: Principles, issues and cases. Third edition. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Explanation / Answer
I agree with many points stated above, and agree that healthcare should be a matter of individual choice. With respect to the unintended outcome of patients receiving differing qualities of care based on what they can afford, I believe that government interventions and polices can be helpful. The government can put laws into place to ensure that all hospitals maintain a certain quality of care and even set up hostials that offer treatments at affordable or subsidised rates. This would ensure that there is no comprise in terms of patient care.
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