Letter to the Editor: Why health care is not a universal human right
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Lately, I have heard many Obamacare proponents claim that receiving health care is a universal human right.
I will not address who should pay for health care, or Capitalism vs. Socialism, but only challenge the conception held by some that health care is something that we are all naturally entitled to. If we accept that liberty is a universal human right however, it is impossible for health care to be considered such.
The right to receive health care directly conflicts with personal liberty.
First, liberty must be defined. Liberty is our right to choose, in every way, how to live and pursue happiness.
Two rights are implied in this definition: life, which is necessary in order to have liberty, and the right to pursue happiness, which requires liberty. These three rights are the foundation of the United States, the rights which the entire American system of government is designed to protect.
There are limits on liberty, however, if it a universal human right. Let’s say that because I have liberty I can choose to force someone to give me an oil change. This violates the other person’s liberty; if I had the right to do this, then they wouldn’t truly have liberty and so liberty would not be universal.
Thus, in order for liberty to be a universal human right, it must be limited to choosing alternatives which do not violate another person’s liberty. In accordance with the modern interpretation of the Declaration of Independence, let’s assume that liberty is in fact universal.
In relation to liberty, we can look at health care in the same way as an oil change. Both are services, which must be performed by some person.
A doctor and a mechanic are both humans, presumably, which means that they both have liberty. As in the case of the oil change, I cannot force the doctor to provide me with medical care without violating her liberty. It is within the realm of her liberty to deny me this service.
This is not to say that doing so is a morally acceptable act by her, because she could be failing to fulfill an obligation that she has as a doctor to provide medical care for anyone in need of it; however, the immorality in this case would arise from (1) the doctor failing to fulfill an obligation which she freely accepted and (2) a failure to protect my right to life, not from a violation of some right that I hold which gives me permission to force her to treat me. This rests on the fact that the source of an obligation is not always a right.
So, if we accept the principle that liberty is a universal human right, then we cannot rightfully claim that receiving health care is, too.
Our liberty grants us the right to buy health care when it is available for purchase, but we are not entitled to receive it without payment.
CASEY VANDENBERG
Sophomore,
philosophy major
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
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