SOC490: Week Two

      As the discussion on whether healthcare is a right or a privledge carries on, I still choose to believe it is a privledge. Although many of us know our own views and positions, we were asked to take the other side and defend it. As well as the privledge side, there are also  many reasons others choose to believe it is a right.
      One reason healthcare should be considered a right is because many people have little to no control over certain health conditions. Some examples of these conditions would be pre exsisting and genetic, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, among many others, and genetic disorders such as down's syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and neurofibromatosis (type 1). Why should these people be punished to unequal healthcare because they cannot pay for treatments for a disorder they had no control over. In Opposing Viewpoints, Helen Redmond brings up a valuable question. She asks, "If you had a suspicious mass in your brain would you put the MRI on your Visa?" I asked myself this same question, and the answer would be yes. But what about those who do not have the same opportunity? Will they potentially suffer from something out of their hands, that could have been prevented with equal healthcare benefits?
      Another reason it healthcare should be considered a right is because more people would benefit from it. Many argue that other government programs are abused by many, but there is really no way to show it. There is no test that one has to pass, or a way to filter out the abusers. An example of this would be a mother who was on welfare, and medicaid for her and her young daughter. She goes to work everyday and makes sure her daughter does well in school. They are no longer on it, and did not abuse it. They used the assisstance from the government to help get them on their feet. Why should healthcare be any different? Not everyone should be punished for those who are neglecting the system. Some just need the help of the government to help get them on their feet, get healthy, and escape the "vicious cycle".
      The second half of this promt was concerning a statement professor brought up in class, and asked us to explain. "People from all over the world come to the Cleveland Clinic for care and the Clinic is rated the best hospital in the US, yet not everyone in Cuyahoga County is healthy, explain." I think the first question should be concerning what the definition of 'health' is. There are so many factors that could be weighed into the definition of 'health'. To say "not everyone is healthy" is a very broad statement. Last semester I took my Nursing220 class and we were asked this same question and had to come up with our own definition. Out of the thirty people in my class, not one person had the exact answer. This was just one class, imagine scaling that to all the residents of Cuyahoga County. Another concern is not every person in Cuyahoga County has a special medical condition or is in need of a surgery that they must go to the Cleveland Clinic for. Many people who are coming from all over the world are coming for a reason. They are coming for a breaking surgery or treatment that the Cleveland Clinic is known for and fantastic at. They don't fly across the world for a Z-Pak for their sinus infection, or for a couple stiches.
      Another reason not all of Cuyahoga County is not 'healthy' is because great healthcare does not just radiate off of a hospital. Look at the location of the Cleveland Clinic....downtown Cleveland. Not everyone  even living in that city has excellent living conditions, let alone healthcare. Healthcare is not as high of a priority to some as it is to others. Another thing to look at is the age percentage. Many people living in inner city Cleveland are at somewhat of a younger age, where mid-thirties is the average. Many people young enough to not necessarily need healthcare choose not to pay for it because they either, a) can't afford it, or b) just don't want to pay for it in general and have higher priorities.
      On another note, the Cleveland Cinic is not cheap, and I know this from personal experience. Both of my parents have had major surgeries and treatments there and to this day we are still paying for them. Why? Because "being healthy" to my family is a number one priority and we place it very high, all cost set aside. I cannot say the same for others. Some people choose to get by with the bare minimum and stay clear from the Cleveland Clinic after they see the price tag. Getting by with the bare minimum may leave those residents "unhealthy", I believe it all comes down to two questions you should ask yourself, "What is the definition for health?" and "Where do you place 'health' on the list your life priorities?"