Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Our moral obligation re: health care

A national health reform leader made the argument to me today that we have a moral obligation to provide health care to all Americans. I asked him to define “all” Americans to clarify his position, and am awaiting his answer.

1. Do we have a moral obligation to provide health care to all Americans?
2. Do we have a moral obligation to provide all forms of health care to all Americans, or do some people have the right to use services not financially available to others?
3. Is there a place at which the public's (i.e. government's) moral obligation ends, and government must decide to cease offering it?

Perhaps you might say it depends on what the meaning of “we” is. Is “we” all U.S. residents or just those here legally - or just citizens?

And if we have this obligation, should this care be delivered and/or paid for by governments, private insurances, charities, and/or personal service?

This is a tough question. How it is answered will have a profound impact on health care reform.

It is not so different from questions about our moral obligation to provide food, shelter, and clothing for everyone. We already provide food stamps, WIC, Section 8 housing, vouchers for necessities, at taxpayer expense. It is likely that during the 1960s, we asked and answered the moral question that yes, every American has a right to these essentials, even if it cost taxpayers some of their livelihood.
Help me think this through.