HLTH - 556 DB 4 - Urgently Required. 10-12 Hours. Need A + Work

This week our discussion board post asks us to determine which statements of the preamble of the Constitution of the World Health Organization we would use to define United States health policy.  I would have to agree with McLaughlin & McLaughlin (2015) that it is very difficult to find any basic principles in the preamble that aligns with U.S. health policy.  This discussion post will share some of the principles I do agree with and some that I do not.

One principle I do agree with is that health is a matter of physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.  Second, in the preamble it states that “health is one of the fundamental rights of every person” (McLaughlin & McLaughlin, 2015, p. 193).  This I do not agree with.  I think it is important to understand that from a moral perspective, I believe healthcare should be available to everyone.  However, medical resources are not endless and they just don’t pop into existence.  They must be provided and they are not necessarily everywhere.  Berdine (2017) states “a right is an entitlement that someone else is obligated to supply irrespective of cost” (p. 445).  He further elaborates that because health care is a scarce resource, it is rationed.  Another way to look at this is if healthcare was a right, why would anyone pay for it?  We are seeing a little of this with ACA.  As patients pay less and providers receive less reimbursement, services are not being provided necessarily everywhere.  For example, in Metro Orlando, we have seen some hospitals close their women services in the outer part of the city as it does not pay to have these services in every facility.  Instead, they have pooled their resources into some of their larger systems which can help offset financial losses that may occur from this population.  While I think it is important that healthcare is accessible to everyone, I agree with Berdine that healthcare is not a right. 

As far as the rest of the preamble, I really have a difficult time supporting any of its content.  For example, what does “live harmoniously” really mean?  This seems to be a very vague concept and difficult to define.  However, I am in favor of healthy childhood development and support methods to provide these resources.  I am just not sure where harmonious fits in that picture of healthy development for children.  Also, I do not understand how the health of people affects peace and security.  We do not live in a world of peace and being healthy is not going to bring peace and security.  The Bible tells us “I have said these things to you, that in me you have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart, I have overcome the world” John 16:33 (English Standard Version).  Finally, I truly believe that healthcare is not the role of the government unlike what the preamble states, “governments have a responsibility for the health of their people” (McLaughlin & McLaughlin, 2015, p. 193).  The Bible has given us a very clear understanding of government’s role. 

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.  Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.  For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.  Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority?  Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good Rom 13:1-4 (The Reformation Study Bible). 

In addition, the Bible tells us “we who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves” Rom 15:1 (English Standard Version).  We are also reminded to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2).  As Christians, we do have the responsibility to have compassion and be caring and we can do this within our communities we live.

References

Berdine, G. G. (2017, November). Is healthcare a human right? No. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, 354, 445-446. Retrieved from http://rx9vh3hy4r.search.serialssolutions.com/?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&ctx_enc=info%3Aofi%2Fenc%3AUTF-8&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fsummon.serialssolutions.com&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Is+Healthcare+a+Human+Right%3F+No&rft.jtitle=AMERICAN+JOURNAL+OF+THE+MEDICAL+SCIENCES&rft.au=Berdine%2C+GG&rft.date=2017-11-01&rft.pub=ELSEVIER+SCIENCE+INC&rft.issn=0002-9629&rft.eissn=1538-2990&rft.volume=354&rft.issue=5&rft.spage=445&rft.epage=446&rft.externalDBID=n%2Fa&rft.externalDocID=000416401600003

McLaughlin, C. P., & McLaughlin, C. D. (2015). Health policy analysis (2nd ed.). [VitalSource Bookshelf].