Health care in America is an ever-changing landscape. There are three essential aspects of healthcare. The essential element of healthcare is the accessibility of to health care. All individuals should be able to access health care. However, the ability of individuals to access healthcare is not always equal. Most people are not able to afford medical insurance. Cost is the second crucial factor in health care. Cost can become a barrier to accessing health care. Thirdly quality is a critical factor that ensures individuals receive the best quality care and have a positive experience when receiving care. The deductions in the paper analyze why healthcare is a right and not a privilege.
Health care is a right because it ensures that every person’s dignity and autonomy are respected. The Universal Declaration of Human rights documents outlines that all individuals have the right to acquire adequate health and wellbeing (Rodrigues, 2020). The document recognizes that health is a fundamental right, and every individual has the right to access adequate healthcare. The document has been essential to ensure that governments improve healthcare for all individuals. Healthcare rights are also affirmed in international treaties such as The International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights states that all individuals should enjoy the highest access to physical and mental health (Pūras et al., 2020). Therefore, healthcare is a right because it has been affirmed in several international articles as a right rather than a privilege.
Healthcare is a right because it affects other fundamental rights, such as individuals having a right to live. The denial of health care adversely affects marginalized groups such as children and women. When the marginalized are denied access to healthcare due to discrimination and lack of financial resources, they are denied the right to live, which is a fundamental right in the constitution.
The healthcare environment is constantly changing. This can be due to new medical breakthroughs, government policy changes, or how society changes over time (Fox et al., 2019). This means that healthcare practices must always be adaptable to keep up with the latest changes.
The move towards evidence-based health care is a significant change in healthcare. This means that decisions about treatments and procedures are based on the best available evidence rather than on tradition or personal preference. This has led to many changes in healthcare practice, as more and more procedures are shown to be ineffective or harmful. Another significant change has been the increasing cost of healthcare. This has put pressure on healthcare providers to find ways to provide quality care at a lower cost. This has led to the development of new technologies and treatments that are more efficient and cost-effective. It has also led to a greater focus on preventive care, which can save money in the long run.
The changing healthcare environment has also had an impact on the way that healthcare is delivered. There has been a move away from the traditional model of care, where patients are seen as passive recipients of care, and towards a more active model of care, where patients are involved in their care and treatment. This has led to greater patient education, empowerment, and disease prevention.
In conclusion, healthcare is a right rather than a privilege. International documents have affirmed that healthcare is a right because it protects individuals’ dignity and autonomy. Healthcare is a right because it affects the realization of other rights, such as an individual’s right to life. The healthcare environment is constantly changing and impacting healthcare practice. The shift into evidence-based care has improved healthcare quality as procedures are shown to be effective or ineffective. The increased cost of health care has led to a greater focus on preventive care. The shift from traditional models of care to a more inclusive treatment procedure for patients has led to excellent patient education, empowerment, and disease prevention.
References
Fox, M., Zuidema, C., Bauman, B., Burke, T., & Sheehan, M. (2019). Integrating Public Health into Climate Change Policy and Planning: State of Practice Update. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(18), 3232.
Pūras, D., de Mesquita, J. B., Cabal, L., Maleche, A., & Meier, B. M. (2020). The right to health must guide responses to COVID-19. The Lancet, 395(10241), 1888–1890.
Rodrigues, R. (2020). Legal and human rights issues of AI: gaps, challenges and vulnerabilities. Journal of Responsible Technology, 4, 100005.